Theft Charges After a Manchester Arrest
A recent arrest in central New Hampshire shows how quickly one incident can turn into a long list of criminal charges. When a reported stolen vehicle is paired with allegations of impaired driving, the potential consequences add up fast. Understanding what is being alleged is the first step toward responding to it.
What the State Alleges
A 33-year-old Manchester man was taken into custody early on a Sunday morning after troopers received a report of a vehicle taken without the owner’s permission. State Police said the Subaru was believed to be traveling back toward Hillsborough from Concord, and that the driver may have been impaired.
Troopers spotted the vehicle near an Interstate 89 off-ramp and tried to make a traffic stop. The driver did not pull over, and a pursuit followed. During the chase, the vehicle allegedly reached speeds above 105 mph and drifted out of its lane before officers used a tire deflation device. The driver stopped a short time later on a local road and was arrested without further incident, according to a Union Leader report.
The Charges Stack Up
What started as a single report grew into nearly a dozen separate counts. The accusations include:
- Theft by unauthorized taking
- Driving under the influence, with an added aggravated DUI count for fleeing
- Operating after being declared a habitual offender
- Operating after suspension
- Reckless conduct and reckless operation
- Breach of bail and disobeying an officer
Each count carries its own potential penalties. When several are filed together, the combined exposure can be far greater than any one charge standing alone.
Why Theft Allegations Carry Weight
In New Hampshire, theft by unauthorized taking covers more than simply walking off with someone’s property. It can apply when a person is accused of using a vehicle without consent, even for a short time. The value of the property and the surrounding facts often decide whether a charge is treated as a misdemeanor or a felony. That distinction shapes both the possible sentence and the lasting record.
A theft case rarely exists on its own. Here, the allegation arrived alongside impaired driving and several motor vehicle counts. Defending one charge well can influence how the others are resolved, which is why an early and organized approach helps.
How a Manchester Theft Lawyer Can Help
A seasoned Manchester, NH theft lawyer looks closely at how the stop was made, whether the traffic stop and the pursuit followed proper procedure, and whether the evidence actually supports each count. Some cases turn on identification. Others turn on the reliability of impairment evidence or the sequence of events leading to the arrest.
At Becker Legal, the work centers on examining every allegation carefully and protecting a client’s rights at each stage. For anyone facing similar accusations, working with a theft lawyer Manchester, NH residents trust can shape how a case moves forward.
Charges are accusations, not proof of guilt. Anyone accused of theft or impaired driving in Manchester has the right to question the evidence and to present a defense. To talk through the details of a pending case and the options available, reach out to Becker Legal and speak with an attorney about the road ahead.
