MANCHESTER, NH – A police confrontation with a Weare man Saturday night suspected of buying drugs led to the evacuation of Cumberland Farms on Hanover Stret, after a bag of what police believe was fentanyl tore open, contaminating the officers, the suspect and the store.
On October 13, 2018, at approximately 5:01 p.m., Manchester Police Officers DeJoy and R. Olsen were checking on Michael Matteuzzi, 37, of Weare, who they suspected of just completing a drug transaction. Officers DeJoy and Olsen made contact with Matteuzzi in the parking lot. The officers attempted to stop Matteuzzi, who ran into convenience store. They followed and a struggle ensued, at which time a bag containing what police believe to be fentanyl/heroin tore open, contaminating the officers, the suspect and merchandise inside Cumberland Farms.
Matteuzzi was charged with the following: Criminal Mischief RSA 634:2, Possession of a controlled drug RSA 318-B: 2, Resisting arrest and or detention RSA 642:2 and falsifying physical evidence RSA 641:6. The store was closed due to the contamination and a company trained in the removal of the suspected material was called in to decontaminate the store.
Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 603-668-8711, or go online to Manchester Crime Line to leave an anonymous tip.
