Found slumped over in car in S. Main St. parking lot

Michael Polchies (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Police say a career criminal with a loaded handgun was arrested today after they conducted a welfare check on the man and found him slumped over, unconscious in his car.

Michael Polchies, 35, of 7 Salmon Falls Estates in East Rochester, was charged with several felonies including possession of a narcotic drug with intent to distribute, receiving stolen property, armed career criminal, felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a controlled drug and carrying a loaded handgun without a license.

Polchies was also charged with resisting arrest or detention, a Class A misdemeanor.

The arrest came as a result of Rochester Police responding to the parking lot at 77 South Main St. a little after 2:35 a.m. after getting a report of a male in a parked gray vehicle hanging out of the driver's side.

Upon arriving they found a gray Honda sedan which was running with the driver's door open. Inside they located Polchies who appeared to be unconscious in the driver's seat.

As officers attempted to see if he was OK, they observed what appeared to be packages of illegal drugs and a loaded handgun under his leg, police said.

The officers were able to take Polchies into custody and he was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for observation and possible treatment as he appeared by the under the influence of drugs.

A search warrant was later completed on the vehicle by police leading to the charges.

Polchies also had an active arrest warrant from state Probation and Parole division.

Seized in the arrest were what is believed to be clonazepam, heroin and cocaine along with $2,429 in cash. The handgun which Polchies was in possession of was determined to be previously stolen.

Polchies is currently being held at Strafford County Jail on $100,000 cash bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Monday at Strafford County Superior Court.