MANCHESTER, NH – John Dalton, 55, of Manchester was arrested June 15 after caught rifling through a woman’s purse near the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Community Policing Officer’s Fred Gillis and Marc Lachance were patrolling the area at approximately 6:10 p.m. when they observed a suspicious man, later identified as Dalton, “hunched down between two vehicles, while feverishly going through the contents of a woman’s purse.”
Related story: Man arrested in connection with downtown car theft
Dalton was initially located on Willow Street, north of Valley Street, near a gray Ford Explorer when the officers observed him holding a woman’s “clutch” style purse. They stopped him short distance away and realized he was still in possession of the woman’s purse. Dalton initially stated it belonged to his girlfriend. however a woman, 22, approached the officers who was visibly upset. She told police she approached her 2005 Ford Explorer after leaving an event at the arena when she realized the front passenger’s window had been broken. She also noticed her Michael Kors purse and wallet were missing. Fortunately, she located the two officers and was able to confirm the contents in Dalton’s possession did in fact belong to her.
Dalton was arrested and charged with theft by unauthorized taking, a felony, and criminal mischief. Dalton was scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on June 16.
You’re one click away! Sign up for our free eNewsletter and never miss another thing
