MANCHESTER, NH – Matthew Platt, 24, of Manchester, was arrested Dec. 14 by Manchester Police, and is facing multiple charges stemming from a reported panhandling incident at McDonald’s.
According to a police narrative, at t 12:05 p.m. on Sunday officers were called to the South Willow Street McDonald’s for a report of a panhandler who had fled the area driving erratically in a red Mercury Sable. A witness stated the alleged panhandler, later identified as Platt, had left the area in a red sedan and allegedly failed to stop at traffic light at South Willow and South Beech streets.
Officer Jamie Kreamer observed the vehicle as described by the witness driving on Queen City Avenue toward Second Street. Officer Kreamer caught up to the vehicle and activated her emergency lights as Platt was stopped in traffic.
According to police records, the vehicle was stopped in the center lane prior to making an abrupt maneuver around a vehicle in the right hand lane. Platt then turned north onto Second Street, drove onto the I-293 on ramp and continued traveling north in the high-speed lane until he made another abrupt turn toward the Granite Street off ramp.
His rate of speed and inability to handle the turn may have caused him to lose control of his vehicle at the bottom of the off ramp, police said. Upon doing so, Platt struck a median and caused the vehicle to go airborne for a short distance. His car came to rest on the north side of the road and caught on fire.
Platt fled the scene on foot and was ultimately apprehended by Officer Kreamer. Platt was charged with: disobeying a police officer, habitual offender and conduct after and accident. Platt was also issued two motor vehicle summonses for a traffic light violation and reckless driving. He was scheduled to appear in court December 15.
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