Police Cast a Wider Net for Wanted Man

As police search for a man wanted out of Florida with Nashua connections, many parents have expressed concern over limited information released in yesterday's All Points Bulletin out of Nashua Police headquarters.

At about 5:45 p.m. on June 12, School Superintendent Mark Conrad activated the city's phone alert system with a message advising parents that police were looking for Craig Shertzer, wanted out of Florida for aggravated assault and grand theft, considered armed and dangerous, and possibly heading to Nashua.

"My children will be staying home today, also. The message was alarming and vague, and I can not, in good conscience, send my kids to their schools," Lisa Marquis Merrill posted on Nashua Patch Facebook June 13.

Jim Bevilacqua expressed frustration over "fugitive" alerts without enough supporting information.

"Why do we need to scare people into submission? I am so tired of these 'Fugitives' running and ruining my everyday life. Why are there no pictures of this man around? Why do you have to scare a community half to death with this stuff and then really give us no details/specifics? Who is responsible for having Mr. Conrad make this emergency call we received last night and why was it so vague? Can someone please tell us what is going on in this situation? What is taking so long to get a picture of him online? So may questions and none of them answered," Bevilacqua wrote. 

Conrad responded via email to the question Wednesday morning, explaining the reasoning behind activating the phone system:

"The Nashua Police Department contacted us because of their concerns this individual is armed and dangerous, and may be heading toward the Nashua community given connections he has here.  As a result they wanted school staff to be alert to this individual should he come into this area, and so after consulting with the Police I determined we should act on the side of caution and make our school communities aware of these concern through the automated call.  I believe our schools are safe, and so we will continue to maintain a normal routine."

Wednesday afternoon Nashua Police Lt. Michael Moushegian said police were working at getting an updated photo of Shertzer, because the one they had on file was "outdated" and would not have served the purpose of identifying him.

A new photo was sent out this morning from Nashua Police and included with this story, along with an updated press release, which now includes Manchester Police Department, Hudson Police Department, and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in the list of agencies searching for Shertzer, in addition to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Marshal Service.

Shertzer, 44, born May 10, 1969, is described as 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes, was last seen operating a 2004 Silver Toyota Tundra bearing NH registration YSTRYR towing a trailer bearing NH utility plate YSTYR.

Shertzer is wanted by Florida authorities for aggravated assault and grand theft.

Shertzer is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

If you have any information regarding Craig Shertzer or his whereabouts please call the Nashua Police Department at 603-594-3500 or the United States Marshal Service at 603-225-1632