On August 28, 2010 at approximately 8:43pm hours the Tilton Police Department received a 911 call of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the area of 263 Laconia Road, just east of Valvoline at Manville Road. When Officers arrived they found two paramedics from the Twin Rivers Ambulance Service had just come upon the accident and were attending to the injured pedestrian, who was now on the side of the road with what Officers said were serious and possibly life threatening injuries. The vehicle, which struck the pedestrian, was still at the scene and the driver, Charles Wilbur of 55 R Gilford Ave; Laconia was reportedly very shaken up. The pedestrian, who resides at 263 Laconia Road, was reportedly crossing Laconia Road when he was struck by the motor vehicle. Witnesses stated the 33-year-old man was crossing the road and was struck, hitting the windshield and coming to rest on the shoulder on the opposite side of the road.

Struck by the vehicle and injured was Kenneth Wiggin, age 33 of 263 Laconia Road who was transported to Franklin Hospital where he was airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in serious condition. We are still waiting for updates from the hospital on his condition. The driver of the vehicle, Charles Wilbur was also transported to LRGH, where he was treated and released. The Belknap County TAR Team and Tilton Police Detectives also responded and at this time the accident is still under investigation.

Update: Our initial investigation revealed that Kenneth Wiggin, age 33 and his younger brother Kenneth Shaw Jr. were at the home of Wiggin at 263 Laconia Road all day, where it was reported family members were having a party in the back yard. Witnesses reported the two brothers began arguing in the driveway at about 8:30 pm, just before the accident. The younger brother then crossed the street after the fight and stood on the opposite side of the road with his father by their vehicle, a parked pick up truck. As the younger brother and father were getting ready to leave, Kenneth Wiggin started to cross the road in the direction of his younger brother when the vehicle struck him.

The operator of the vehicle, Charles Wilbur reported he did not see the man until he hit the windshield. There was no indication the driver was under the influence of alcoholic beverages nor are there any charges pending at this time. Kenneth Wiggin is still listed in Critical Condition at DHMC ICU and the driver of the vehicle that struck Wiggin sustained cuts to the face from glass, was treated and released at LRGH. Investigators stated he was very shaken up, felt bad about the incident and continues to call us for updates. Fortunately two Emergency Medical Technicians were in a Twin Rivers Ambulance a couple vehicles behind the accident and were able to tend to the Wiggin quickly. They had to take some steps to keep him breathing on scene until he could be transported. It appears to be a tragic accident as family and friends continue to pray for his recovery.

Chief Robert Cormier - Tilton Police Department

The Northfield Police Department, in cooperation with the Tilton and Belmont Police Departments, will conduct a DWI Sobriety Checkpoint during the week of August 2nd, 2010 in the Town of Tilton. The Regional DWI Task Force received Superior Court permission for the checkpoint which relies on highway safety funds. The program is approved by the N.H. Highway Safety Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Chief Stephen Adams of the Northfield Police Department, Chief Robert Cormier of the Tilton Police Department and Chief Vincent Baiocchetti of the Belmont Police Department have teamed up through the Regional DWI Task Force to fight intoxicated drivers.

 

Early Sunday morning at approximately 3am the Tilton Police Department responded to a call of a two-car accident with injuries in the area of 267 Laconia Road.  Officer Patten arrived on the scene to find the two-car accident was a “head on” collision with what appeared to be serious injuries. There were a total of three people in both vehicles, all with injuries. From his initial investigation it appeared the operator of a 2005 silver Acura RSX was traveling eastbound on Laconia Road when it reportedly passed a vehicle heading in the same direction, striking a second vehicle coming in the opposite direction which was a 98 blue Honda Civic.  The Tilton Northfield Fire Department transported the two operators and a passenger of both vehicles to local hospitals. The operator of the silver Acura and his passenger were transported to LRGH and the operator of the Honda Civic was transported to Franklin Regional Hospital.

As a result of our investigation, the operator of the silver Acura, a Somphet Saysongkham of 467 Central Street, Lowell Massachusetts, age 39 is being charged with 3 counts of Aggravated Driving while Intoxicated causing serious injuries, Reckless Operation, yellow line and passing violations.

The operator of the blue Honda Civic not being charged is Maurice Cote, age 55 of 178 Pevely Road, Northfield NH was transported to Franklin Regional Hospital and is said to be recovering from his injuries.

The passenger in the silver Acura being driven by Somphet Saysongkham was Bountham Sonthkoummane, Age 47 of 51 Elm Street, Laconia NH. He was also transported to LRGH with serious injuries. Both Somphet and Bountham were reportedly heading to Laconia.

The operator Somphet Saysongkham, charged in this accident was released on $5000 cash bail and is due in Franklin District Court for his arraignment on November 16, 2009 All three parties remain in the hospital and the case is still under investigation.

 

Chief Robert Cormier

*******THIS IS ONLY A TRAINING DRILL*******
 

Tilton Police and Fire

Area Press Release
 
*******PRIORITY  ALERT*******
 
The State of New Hampshire experienced a deliberate dispersal of the biological agent anthrax earlier today. New Hampshire State Police assisted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the discovery. The anthrax was dispersed from a train moving along a route in the southern part of the State this morning.
*******THIS IS ONLY A TRAINING DRILL*******
Anthrax is a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. There are three types of this disease: cutaneous (skin) anthrax, ingested anthrax, and inhalation anthrax. Anthrax spores released into the air generally result in inhalation anthrax because they are breathed in. If someone has an open wound, however, the anthrax can also cause skin lesions. Anthrax is a potentially fatal disease that is treatable with antibiotics.
*******THIS IS ONLY A TRAINING DRILL*******
The Governor has requested that the federal Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) of medications be delivered to New Hampshire to treat everyone who may have been exposed. These medications will be distributed to local dispensing sites known as Points of Dispensing (PODs). These PODs will be open Saturday morning for all residents in the following communities: Rockingham, Strafford, and Hillsborough Counties and the town of Tilton. There will be enough medication for anyone who was potentially exposed. Everyone who either lives in or traveled through the affected towns on or after October 14th will be treated as a precautionary measure. There is enough time to distribute this medication because the incubation period for inhalation anthrax is at least 4 days. The public will be notified very shortly of where to go, when the PODs will be open, and what they should bring with them.
 *******THIS IS ONLY A TRAINING DRILL*******
The Winnisquam Middle School has been activated as a POD Distribution Site. Residents of Tilton, Northfield, Franklin, Sanbornton, Hill should enter the school lot from Winter Street and bring a form of identification /residency.  Please make our staff aware of any medical issues or symptoms.
 
Please be patient and remain calm at the POD site, our staff will be sure that all residents receive assistance.
 
If you need transportation call 286-7270
 
The information line is 286-8207 or goes to NIXLE.COM
 
*******THIS IS ONLY A TRAINING DRILL*******
 
 
Thank you
Chief Bob Cormier
Tilton Police Department    

Emergency Management

A three month investigation conducted by the Tilton Police Detectives resulted in the arrest of Vincent Bitetto Jr. DOB 12/02/87, formerly of 20 Caveney Drive in Northfield, NH. Bitetto was arrested on Main Street in Tilton and is charged with two counts of the Sale of a controlled/narcotic drug, specifically cocaine and oxycontin. Bitetto has also been charged with possession of a controlled drug and transporting drugs in a motor vehicle. At the time of his arrest Bitetto was out on bail for possession of a controlled drug and other charges from the Tilton, Northfield and Franklin Police Departments. Any questions can be referred to Detective Buffington of the Tilton Police Department @ 603-286-7459 ext. 112

On August 4^th, 2009, the Tilton Police Department received information that  Richard Jennings and his attorney, Barbara Keshen (State V Jennings, charged in September 2008) challenged Dover's Sex Offender Ordinance and was successful in overturning the charge in District Court. The charge against Jennings (Registered Sex Offender) was that he violated the city’s ordinance by living within 2500 feet of a school or day care; after being informed that he could not. The defendant stipulated that that he was in violation of the offense but challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance. The District Courts decision was released on July 30^th that they felt the ordinance was unconstitutional.
 The Town of Tilton presently is one of five towns or cities, which has a similar ordinance, but to date no one has challenged this ordinance that we are aware of.
Tilton has not had to charge anyone with a violation of this ordinance to date.
 
The City of Dover may appeal the District Courts decision to the Superior Court, but has not decided to do that yet. I also want to see if the Attorney General's Office has an interpretation on the decision and if they recommend any changes with the ordinance. We also want to read the case notes and speak with the Board of Selectmen.

When we have read the merits of the District Court’s decision in detail, spoken with the Dover Police Department, Attorney General’s Office and Board of Selectmen, then we will better be able comment on the future of the Tilton Ordinance. If Dover decides to appeal the District Court decision, that may also weigh into other towns decisions whether to re-write or not re-write the ordinances and so towns may wait until that process finishes.
 
Chief Bob Cormier
Tilton Police Department

Following two, several-month investigations this year by the NH Attorney General’s Joint Drug Task Force and Tilton Police Department Detective Unit, three individuals have been arrested for Felony Drug charges and their cases forwarded to Superior Court for indictments.

In the first of these two investigations, which started in the beginning of this year and came to a conclusion in April 2009, Carol Center of 33 Vista Heights Tilton, age 44 was arrested for Possession with Intent to Sell Drugs (Cocaine). Over a three-month period she sold illegal drugs (Cocaine) to undercover officers and investigators, who ultimately drew warrants for her arrest and served a search warrant at her Vista Heights home.

In a separate drug sales investigation, the Drug Task Force and Tilton Police investigators followed up several leads regarding individuals selling narcotics in some of the parking lots in the Tilton shopping district areas off exit 20.  In this three-month investigation, which included sales to undercover officers, Detectives eventually obtained arrest warrants for Jack Vincent of 90 Knowles Pond Road, Northfield, age 51 and his son Travis Vincent of 79 Kaulback Road in Sanbornton.  Jack Vincent is being charged with Felony Conspiracy to Commit Drug Sales and was held on $25,000 cash bail or surety at the time of his arrest. Travis Vincent is being charged with Illegal Sales of Narcotics and also was held at the time of his arrest on $50,000 cash bail.

Tilton Police Chief Robert Cormier comments that "The joint efforts by the Drug Task Force and the Tilton Police Department Detectives have lead to several arrests and indictments this year for illegal drug sales and all their efforts should be commended."

On June 29th, 2009, the Tilton Police Department received a report that an unidentified male had been in several Shaw's stores and had been conducting a "Flim-Flam" scam. The suspect reportedly checks out at a cashier and presents them with a large bill and then confuses the cashier into giving him back all of his money and additional money from their drawer and leaves with the money and the merchandise.

Photos show a white male who appears to be between 20 and 40 years old going through the checkout line and performing as mentioned above, leaving the store with the cash and goods.

The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time and images will be posted on the Tilton's Most Wanted website at www.TiltonPD.org.  Any information about this suspect can be forwarded to the Police at (603) 286-4442 or anonymous tips can be left on the Tilton PD website.

This case remains under invstigation.

On May 18, 2009 the Tilton Police Department received a tip from a person who advised that they believed they could see what appeared to be a marijuana plant growing in a first floor window of an apartment.  The Tilton Police Detectives Division investigated the tip and it was determined that the plant was in fact a marijuana plant.

 

On May 19, 2009 Judge Gordon from the Franklin District Court issued a search warrant for 8 Winter Street apartment #1.  The Tilton Police Department with assistance from New Hampshire State Trooper Greg DeLuca and his K-9 Tyson executed the search warrant which resulted in the seizure of two marijuana plants along with several items of drug paraphernalia.

 

For any follow-up questions you can contact Detective Buffington at 286-8207 extension 112 or Detective Dawson at 286-8207 extension 107.

 

On May 12th, 2009, at approximately 9:00 AM, the Tilton Police Department received a call of a multiple vehicle accident with possible injuries on Laconia Road in the vicinity of Jay's Marina and the Family Tree Restaurant.

 

Upon arrival, officers found four vehicles involved, some with extensive damage.  Witnesses told police that one of the vehicles had struck another from behind and caused a chain reaction, ultimately causing one to propel into oncoming traffic.

 

Both the Tilton-Northfield and Sanbornton Fire Departments responded to evaluate the vehicle occupants, four of which were transported to local medical facilities for what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.  The Belmont Police provided assistance with traffic at the scene.

 

This accident is still under investigation.