MANCHESTER, NH – A Northfield man was arrested Friday after fleeing police and crashing a stolen car into Elliot River’s Edge.
At about 8 p.m. on June 9, Officer Callahan witnessed a motor vehicle operating erratically in the area of Second Street and Queen City Avenue. She attempted to stop the driver, later identified as Eric Sleeper, 46, of Northfield.
Officer Callahan activated her emergency lights after Sleeper narrowly missed striking a vehicle while turning left on Queen City Avenue from Second Street. Sleeper sped up the 2000 Toyota Tundra he was driving and headed east on Queen City Avenue. He ran a red light at Sundial Avenue before turning north into Elliot-River’s Edge. He headed toward the parking garage, located behind the hospital before he lost control of the stolen vehicle. He struck a pole and the side of the building before fleeing on foot.
Officer Callahan chased him down and grabbed hold of Sleeper’s wrist. He fought with the officer by making repeated attempts to break her grip and avoid being apprehended. Officer Callahan gave verbal commands before deploying her department-issued Taser. The first deployment had little to no effect on Sleeper, so she deployed a second cartridge, which caused him to fall to the ground.
Sleeper continued to fight with the officer on the ground as she attempted to gain control of his wrists so she could place him into custody. Off-duty Manchester Police Sgt. Joe Ryan witnessed the event and assisted Officer Callahan while placing Sleeper in handcuffs. Sleeper appeared to be intoxicated, based on his slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and inability to stay balanced while standing inside of the booking area.
The vehicle was reported stolen from Tilton on June 9, 2017. Sleeper also had a suspended license from a 2015 conduct after an accident incident. He was charged with receiving stolen property; disobeying a police officer; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; conduct after an accident; resisting arrest/detention and simple assault on a police officer. He was scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on June 12, 2017
