City transient identified as standoff suspect, faces attempted murder charge

Ricco Chanthapho (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - The man who prompted a seven-hour standoff with police after shooting at an officer early Saturday morning has been identified as a Rochester transient who may be a suspect in the theft of the auto he was driving and a recent robbery of firearms from Seacoast Gun & Pawn in East Rochester.

Ricco Chanthapho, 28, remains in critical condition at Portsmouth Regional Hospital today with what police say appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Chanthapho is facing charges of attempted murder, attempted first degree assault, reckless conduct, receiving stolen property and other charges.

Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said in a statement from police that they found a gun reported stolen in the burglary at Seacoast Gun and Pawn in his vehicle.

The standoff unfolded around 1:50 a.m. after a Rochester Police officer attempted a traffic stop of a blue Volkswagen Jetta near the Lilac Mall on Milton Road. Police say the driver police refused to stop and continued north a couple of miles on Milton Road before turning onto Periwinkle Drive where the driver got out and fled into the woods at the rear of Saks Mobile Home Park.

The officer was then fired upon as he began to chase the suspect, who later crossed the Salmon Falls River from the rear of Saks onto the Maine side, which is part of New Hampshire for a short distance along this stretch of the river.

After the initial confrontation officers established a perimeter and began to tighten it throughout the early morning hours before detonating flash bang devices in an effort to flush the suspect out shortly before 9 a.m. Chanthapho was unresponsive with what appeared a self-inflicted gunshot wound when police found him in the woods around 8:45 a.m.

During the entire standoff residents of Saks were told to shelter in place.

For their assistance with this incident and investigation, Rochester Police would like to thank their officers and dispatchers, the Stafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit, NH State Police, Maine State Police, Milton Police, City of Rochester Public Works, ATF, Seacoast SERT team, Belknap County SWAT, US Marshals, and Strafford County Sheriff's Office.

Anyone with information relevant to this case is urged to contact the Rochester Police Dept. Please call the Rochester Police Department at 603-330-7128. You can also provide information and remain anonymous by calling the Rochester Crime Line at 603-335-6500 or Text to: CRIMES (274637) Body of Text: TEXT4CASH + your tip. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.