Staff reports 5:50 a.m.
Saturday, April 4, 2026 5:44 am
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DOVER - The Dover man accused in a wanton, violent attack on a state trooper doing paperwork in his cruiser remains in custody today at Strafford County Jail on no bail following a court hearing on Friday.
Jonathan G. Newcomb, 53, was charged with felony criminal threatening and attempting to take a firearm from law enforcement, as well as misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated, stalking, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, criminal mischief and theft.
The alleged assault on State Trooper Jonathan Minnich occurred in a church parking lot on Dover Point Road around 2 p.m. on Thursday while the trooper was completing paperwork in his police cruiser.
Suddenly a man, later identified as Newcomb, pulled up in a vehicle next to the parking lot, got out of his vehicle and approached the trooper, holding a stick and a metal tool, according to a Dept. of Safety press release sent Friday.
As he got closer to the trooper, Newcomb became verbally aggressive and challenged the trooper to fight.
As the trooper tried to identify the man, the encounter turned physical as the man punched the trooper, tore his uniform and attempted to take the trooper's gun, according to police reports.
After a prolonged struggle, the trooper was able to gain control and arrest the suspect.
Several Good Samaritans saw what was happening and came to the assistance of Minnich as he took the suspect into custody.
Newcomb was transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital for treatment of minor injuries before being transported to jail.
The trooper was also evaluated at the hospital as a precaution.