Local News
A Dover, New Hampshire, man is facing a slew of charges following what state police called “wanton, violent assault” on an officer.
A New Hampshire man is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a New Hampshire State Trooper in an unprovoked attack in Dover on Thursday.
According to New Hampshire State Police, the incident happened around 2 p.m. in a parking lot off Dover Point Road near Route 16. Investigators say a trooper was doing administrative work in his parked cruiser when a man drove up, got out of his vehicle, and approached the officer while holding what police described as “a stick and a metal tool.”
Police say the man, later identified as 53-year-old Jonathan G. Newcomb of Dover, became verbally aggressive before becoming violent. Investigators say Newcomb allegedly punched the trooper, tore his uniform, and tried to take his gun.
The trooper arrested Newcomb following a “prolonged struggle.”
Both men were taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries and were later released, according to officials.
“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,” New Hampshire State Police said in a social media post.
Newcomb was due to be arraigned in Dover District Court on Friday.
State police thanked the local police and fire departments, as well as good Samaritans who helped at the scene.
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
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