Five arrested, including two minors, after Lafayette Street fireworks fracas

Heather Hodgdon, Matthew Spencer (Rochester Police photos),

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police made five arrests on Lafayette Street on Sunday night, including two minors, after a group of people kept lighting off fireworks even after one member of the group had been cited for illegally using the pyrotechnics earlier.

The incident initially unfolded around 8:40 p.m. as officers responded to a complaint in the area of 40 Lafayette St. after receiving several calls reporting loud fireworks, debris going on private property, and debris covering cars on the street.

As a result of the initial investigation, Matthew Spencer, 32 of 40B Lafayette St., was issued a summons for a city ordinance violation for using fireworks.

The two officers who responded were met with an unruly crowd at this address, some of whom were swearing and yelling at the officers. The officers left after issuing the summons but returned moments later after hearing more fireworks coming from the same area.

A subsequent investigation revealed that fireworks had been launched from the same residence again.

Further investigation ensued, and due to several people behaving in a disorderly manner during the investigation, five people were taken into custody, including three adults and two juveniles.

Two minors who were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest were both transported to the station where they were released to parents. Their cases will be handled through the juvenile justice system.

Meanwhile, the adults arrested are Matthew Spencer, 32, of 40B Lafayette St. (disorderly conduct, resisting arrest or detention); Heather Hodgdon, 36, 40B Lafayette St. (Simple assault on law enforcement X 3, resisting arrest or detention, attempted criminal mischief); and Nicholas Eaton, 18, of 11 Olde Farm Lane, Rochester (Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest or detention).

Police say Hodgdon tried to push past an officer twice and then physically resisted arrest. She also allegedly spit in the arresting officer's face and then kicked a cruiser door. After refusing to cooperate with officers she was transported to the Strafford County Jail where bail was set at $3,500 cash with arraignment today.

It is alleged that both Spencer and Eaton both refused officer's orders as they attempted to calm the situation down and were being arrested for Disorderly Conduct when they both physically resisted being arrested.

Spencer and Eaton were released on $1500 personal recognizance bail with an arraignment date next month.

Rochester Police took the opportunity of this incident to let citizens know they have received several calls to the Lafayette Street area dealing with criminal matters as well as quality of life issues over the past several weeks.

Police have been conducting extra patrol in this area, and will continue to do so - and will have zero tolerance for criminal activity, quality of life issues, and city ordinances violations, according to a statement made by the department today.