Press Release - Big Apple Armed Robbery update: March 6, 2012

On February 26, 2012 at approximately 8:34 PM Tilton Police received a call of an armed robbery at the Big Apple Store 256 Main Street in Tilton. The clerk reported the suspect passed a note that he had a pistol and to put all the money in a bag which she did. The suspect reportedly was wearing dark clothing and some type of mask.  The clerk advised the suspect fled on foot. Members of the Tilton Police Department, Northfield and the New Hampshire State Police responded and began checking the area.

Minutes later, Officers at the scene spotted a man fitting the description in the area of Elm Street and down Granite Street toward PCC Company.  There, Officers located the suspect hiding and took him into custody without incident.

Arrested the night of the robbery was David Michael Bickford – DOB 11/30/93, Bickford was arraigned the next morning at Franklin District Court and is presently being held on $25,000 dollars cash bail at the Belknap County Jail. He is scheduled for a Probable Cause Hearing on March 12, 2012 at Franklin District Court.

Second arrest for the Armed Robbery of Big Apple Store

Following the night of the robbery, Tilton Police Detectives received information, tips and leads that indicated that their was a second individual involved in the robbery of the Big Apple Store. Following up on that information Detectives eventually obtained arrest warrants for a second individual who they say was involved. On March 6, 2012 at 5:30pm Tilton Police arrested Michael Cole, age 21, 11/18/90 of 4 Knapp Road. Tilton. He is being charged with Criminal Liability for the Armed Robbery of the Big Apple Store.

Cole was arraigned in Franklin District Court on March 7, 2012 and is being held in Belknap County Jail on cash bail. He is scheduled for a Probable Cause Hearing on March 20, 2012 at 10:30am.

Cole                        Bickford

Press Release: March 6, 2012

On February 6, 2012 at 9:37 PM the Tilton Police Department received a 911 call from a female of an Armed Robbery in progress at 311 Main Street Tilton (LaChance’s Village Market) At the same time dispatch got a hold up alarm from the same location. Officers arrived to confirm the store was robbed and the suspects were gone prior to their arrival. Two suspects were described as wearing hooded sweatshirts and wearing some sort of mask. They fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

Following a 4-week investigation Detectives received tips, leads and evidence that eventually led them to the suspects. Arrested was Zach Fry age 22, DOB- 03/20/89 52 Highland Mountain Road, Northfield NH and Warren “ Buddy” Smith age 21, DOB 09-07-90 of 154 Hermit Lake Road in Sanbornton NH.

Both suspects are being charged in the February 6, 2012 Armed Robbery of LaChance’s Market.  Zach Fry is being held on $50,000 cash bail and Warren Smith is being held on $25,000 cash bail. Both are being held at Belknap County Jail and are scheduled for Probable Cause Hearings on March 20,2012 at 10:30 am.

 

 Fry                        Smith

Detectives did an outstanding job putting both this case and the Big Apple Robbery cases together quickly. These types of crimes are unsettling to the store employees and the community. I know people feel better when we get them in custody. Detectives have made both the Big Apple Robbery and the LaChance Store Robbery cases a priority since they happed last month.

Chief Robert Cormier, Tilton Police Department

 

On September 30, 2011 at 1214 hrs the Tilton Police Department received multiple 911 calls of a serious accident by # 156 Laconia Road in front of Wendy’s and Home Depot off exit 20 in Tilton. Callers reported a motorcycle collided with a motor vehicle just east of Wendy’s and that there were serious injuries. The Tilton Police Department and Tilton Northfield Fire Department with the assistance of Belmont, Sanbornton and Northfield Police Departments responded and immediately had to shut down busy Laconia Road. Our initial investigation revealed that a motorcycle traveling eastbound on Laconia Road just east of the Wendy’s Restaurant collided with a red Volvo, which was reportedly exiting the Park and Ride on Laconia Road by Benson’s Auto. Both the motorcycle operator and one occupant of the Volvo were transported to Lakes Region Medical Center. It appeared the operator of the motorcycle had more serious injuries, so the road had to remain closed for almost two hours so that investigators could process the scene and remove the vehicles involved. Initial reports from witnesses at the scene suggest that speed may have been a factor in the accident, however the accident is still under investigation and the road has been re-opened. The Operator of the motorcycle was Adam Cornish age 21 of 14 B Mechanic Street Laconia NH and the Operator of the Motor vehicle was Mathew Nashawaty age 34 334 Owl Street of Campton NH.

Chief Robert Cormier Tilton Police Department

 

Update - 02/21/11
Today we spoke with family members at the hospital who reported Randy Johnson’s condition has improved. He is now conscious, alert and talking but still has several serious injuries, some of which will require surgery. For now he remains at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he is recovering.
“ It was a terrible accident and it was very good to hear Randy is improving. The Tilton Police Department is praying for his full recovery”
-Chief Robert Cormier

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On February 18, 2011 at 1656 hrs the Tilton Police Department along with the Tilton Northfield Fire Department responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the area of 679 Laconia Road just east of the Shalimar Resort.  On February 18, 2011 at 1656 hrs the Tilton Police Department along with the Tilton Northfield Fire Department responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in the area of 679 Laconia Road just east of the Shalimar Resort.  

 

The pedestrian, Randy Johnson of Laconia had what appeared to be serious injuries and was transported to LRGH by TNFD ambulance, where he was then evacuated by Med Flight to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. The operator, Susan McBey age 61 of Tilton was also transported to the Franklin Regional Hospital to be evaluated.

Initial reports are that the pedestrian was walking westbound on Laconia Road on the north side of the street by #679 when he was struck. At this time the accident is under investigation by the Tilton Police Department and the Belknap Regional Traffic Accident Investigation Team.

On September 1^st 2010, at 11am, the Tilton Police Department responded to a report of a large theft of copper at 635 West Main Street, an Auto Serv Property. The Manger reported that they had discovered someone had broken into three of their large Carrier Air Conditioners, which are each are the size of a 20 ft long storage container and stolen all the copper of out each of the air conditioner unit. Large steel doors were taken off each unit with tools and the interiors of the units was totally dismantled. All the copper pipes, motors and wiring was removed to get the most copper out of each unit. The amount of damage and losses was estimated to be approximately $180,000 dollars to replace them.  The manager stated this was a huge loss and they were irreparable at this point.

Tilton Police Detectives Dawson and Buffington responded and began to process the scene with photos and collected evidence at the scene. Officer Morrison assisted them as well. They gathered several items of possible evidence at the scene, but none of it led them to any immediate suspects.  With no witnesses or initial leads these are difficult cases to solve. Copper cases have become more prevalent in the last few years and now thieves will go as far as to break into new homes to steal the copper before the new owner moves in. It has definitely become an increasing a problem.

Over the course of the next three weeks, detectives analyzed evidence from the scene, video and pictures. They then put together a short list of possible suspects from the evidence. On September 20^th, 2010, the primary suspect was arrested in Concord for a similar investigation and we were immediately notified. The Tilton Police and the Concord Police were working together on the case as we felt he may head to Concord with the stolen copper. When Concord Police called us, we had already had enough evidence to obtain warrants for the suspect but could not locate him for questioning.

After interviewing the suspect on the 20th, he eventually confessed to the thefts and he will be brought for indictment in Laconia Superior Court. Charged in the crime is Thomas Ware, age 25, DOB 05/03/85,  31 Willow Street Tilton for Burglary and Felony Theft. Tilton Police had also arrested Ware in January of this year for a series of thefts in Tilton in which he allegedly stole auto parts from vehicles. That case is waiting for trial and we have more info there may be more victims in other towns.

The detectives did an outstanding job of collecting evidence, which to the untrained person might seem insignificant. That small evidence would eventually lead to the break we needed to identify the suspect. It was a very difficult case and they pulled it together in just a few short weeks.  These losses can far exceed companies deductable and in a tough economy, companies cannot afford such a large theft. I am glad we could close this case for them.

Chief Robert Cormier – Tilton Police Department 09/23/10

UPDATE - September 15, 2010
 
On August 28, 2010 at approximately 8:43pm, 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 (see press release below).  No charges have been filed as a result of the accident to date and the investigation has been ongoing.
 
On September 15, 2010 the Tilton Police Department received information regarding an update on the pedestrian, Kenneth Wiggin (DOB 10/24/77) that he has passed away from injuries.
 
The Medical Examiner Rosie Swain advised that the cause of death was multiple blunt impact, which the victim sustained as a result of the accident.
 
Chief Robert Cormier
Tilton Police Department

 

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

Tilton Police Department - Operation Safe Schools 2010
 

Following a three-month drug investigation, in an attempt to eliminate sales of illegal drugs in our school zones, the Tilton Police Department has arrested several individuals for the sale and possession of illegal narcotics. To date, seven suspects have been arrested and the remaining eighth suspect plans to turn himself in later this week.

The following suspects have been arrested or are wanted at this time by the Tilton Police Department: 

1. Edward Pawlosky (Possession of a controlled drug with intent to sell in a school zone)

2. Jacklyn Pevine (Possession of a controlled drug with intent to sell in a school zone) 

3. Stephen Foden (Possession of a controlled drug with intent to sell in a school zone and        sales)

4. Jillian Rollins (Possession of a controlled drug with intent to sell in a school zone and         possession of drug paraphernalia)

5. Derek Rollins (Sales of a controlled drug within a school zone)

6. Brandon Turner (Sales of a controlled drug)

7. Kevin Walker (Criminal liability for sales of a controlled drug)

8. Charles Sullivan (Sales of a controlled drug) – arrest pending

 

Stephen Foden was held on $5,000 dollars cash bail and the rest of the individuals were released on Personal Recognizance bail and given court dates at the Franklin District Court. Foden has been charged with: possession with intent to sell marijuana, ecstasy, and breach of bail, possession, unsworn falsification and sales of controlled drugs. He will be indicted in Superior Court for two more sales of controlled drugs.
 

The Tilton Police Detectives have put in countless hours and dedication over the summer to ensure the safety of the many students that will be attending classes in the Winnisquam School District this fall. I am very proud of the exemplary work they have done on these cases.

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