MANCHESTER, NH – Kevin Gearhart, 50, still in ankle and belt shackles after fleeing jail, was arrested again on July 28 for allegedly trying to steal two vehicles. Gearhart was sent to Hillsborough County House of Correction following an incident earlier this month involving a stolen truck.
On Thursday July 28 at approximately 8:05 a.m., Officer Riley was traveling south on Elm Street at Valley Street when a citizen flagged him down and pointed toward a man wearing an orange Hillsborough County House of Correction inmate jumpsuit.
The man, later identified as Kevin Gearhart, 50, who was reportedly escaped from the Hillsborough County House of Correction, immediately fled into the wooded area when he saw the officer, to the rear of Prime Gas running toward Firestone Tire Center. Officers in the area gave chase and quickly apprehended Gearhart in the parking lot of Market Basket.
After Gearhart escaped from jail, he attempted to enter a vehicle parked at RSP Automotive, 8 Valley St. The owner of the vehicle was dropping it off for service when she saw Gearhart, dressed in an orange inmate jumpsuit, peer into the vehicle. Gearhart was scared off, running westerly toward Elm Street.
Gearhart then attempted to steal a vehicle parked at the gas pumps of Prime Gas while the owner of the vehicle was inside the store. The owner shouted at Gearhart, who once again fled toward the woods. At the same time, passing officers were immediately flagged over and pointed to the direction Gearhart had fled.
Gearhart returned to Hillsborough County House of Correction, and will be arraigned Friday July 29 in the 9th Circuit District to answer to the charges of escape and attempted theft.
