Rochester man gets DWI after four-town police chase

Car stopped with spike strips and driver, Richard M. Shaw, inset. (Courtesy photos)

A Rochester man with a history of drunken driving was charged with DWI after leading police on a chase through three towns that only ended after spike strips deployed in Portsmouth finally took out all four of his tries. It was his third DWI and second in two days.

The most recent incident began around 11:30 a.m. on Monday when a state trooper got a call for an erratic operator southbound on the Spaulding Turnpike in Rochester.

Troop A Epping had been dispatched by the Rochester Police indicating they had received three different calls regarding the erratic operation of this particular vehicle.

Moments later, a state trooper observed the suspect vehicle pass him on the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover. Trooper Sleight attempted to stop the vehicle, however the operator refused to stop and a motor vehicle pursuit ensued. This pursuit traveled through Dover, Newington and into Portsmouth, eventually heading southbound on Route 95.

It was as the suspect vehicle entered onto Route 95 that troopers were able to successfully deploy "Stop Sticks," deflating all four tires on the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle then exited Route 95 at exit 3A and was taken into custody on Grafton Drive in Portsmouth without incident.

Richard M. Shaw, 47, of Rochester was charged with Driving While Intoxicated (2^nd Offense), Reckless Operation, Disobeying an Officer, Resisting Arrest, Open Container and Possession of a Controlled Drug. Shaw is being held on $5,000 cash bail pending arraignment in the 10^th Circuit Court-Portsmouth Division. During the course of the State Police investigation it was learned Shaw had been arrested approximately 15 hours prior in the City of Dover after having been involved in a motor vehicle accident there. In that instance, Shaw was also alleged to have been Driving While Intoxicated. On Monday Shaw was currently out on bail from the Dover incident at the time of this pursuit.

The New Hampshire State Police were assisted at the scene by the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department as well as both the Portsmouth Police and Fire Departments. This incident is under investigation by Trooper First Class Michael Shupe of the New Hampshire State Police, Troop-A. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact TFC Shupe at (603) 223-8490.