Staff reports 11:26 a.m.
Friday, April 3, 2026 11:27 am

DOVER -- A Dover man is facing multiple criminal charges following an unprovoked assault on a New Hampshire State Trooper, according to a release from the Dept. of Safety.

The alleged assault took place around 2 p.m. on Thursday when the state trooper was parked near Route 16 in Dover, in a parking lot along Dover Point Road. While completing administrative tasks in his police cruiser, a man 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. As he got closer to the trooper, the man became verbally aggressive and challenged the Trooper, according to the release.

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.

After a prolonged struggle, the trooper was able to gain control and arrest the suspect, identified as Jonathan G. Newcomb, 53, of Dover.

Newcomb was transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The trooper was also evaluated at the hospital as a precaution. Both have since been released.

As a result of the wanton, violent assault, Newcomb 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.

Newcomb was transported to the Strafford County Jail for booking ahead of an arraignment scheduled in Dover District Court.

The New Hampshire State Police would like to thank members of the Dover Police Department, Dover Fire Department and the Good Samaritans who provided valuable assistance.