Intoxicated Portsmouth Driver Stopped By Bystander With Gun: Cops

PORTSMOUTH, NH — An intoxicated Portsmouth driver who crashed into three cars, a Dunkin' Donuts sign and a pizza shop New Year's Eve was finally stopped by a gun-wielding Good Samaritan, according to police. Aaron Marconi, 50, was arrested and charged with a host of crimes.

Police said Marconi's rampage ended at Darleen's Sub & Pizza on Islington Street when he crashed into the building at about 5:45 p.m. and two Good Samaritans intervened.

"The first Samaritan attempted to prevent the suspect from driving away by blocking the suspect’s vehicle with his own car," Portsmouth police said in a statement. "The suspect threatened to kill that man and then attempted to back up. The second Good Samaritan seeing this aggressive action and hearing this threat, warned the first man and instructed him to retreat. The second man then challenged the suspect with his firearm while issuing commands to stop."

Officers arrived moments later and took Marconi into custody. Police said the actions of the gun-wielding Good Samaritan "were legally justified."

Before crashing into Darleen's, Marconi hit a parked vehicle on Hanover Street, a vehicle on Islington Street and a Dunkin' Donuts sign on Islington Street, police said. Marconi also hit another vehicle in Darleen's parking lot.

Marconi was charged with driving while intoxicated, heroin possession, criminal threatening and four counts of conduct after an accident. He was released on bond pending an arraignment Jan. 11 in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Photo credit: Portsmouth Police Department