Executive Summary
- Alejandro Vargas, a fugitive wanted by U.S. Marshals, was arrested after a multi-town high-speed pursuit in New Hampshire.
- The suspect allegedly rammed a State Police cruiser and two parked vehicles after turning onto a dead-end street.
- Manchester Police utilized drone technology to locate Vargas after he fled the crash scene on foot.
- A passenger in the suspect’s vehicle evaded capture and remains at large.
New Hampshire State Police arrested a Massachusetts man wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on Tuesday following a high-speed pursuit that traversed multiple towns and concluded with a collision involving a state trooper’s cruiser in Manchester. Authorities identified the driver as Alejandro Vargas, 27, of Lowell, Massachusetts, who allegedly led officers on a chase reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing into law enforcement and parked vehicles.
According to the New Hampshire State Police, the sequence of events began at approximately 1:21 a.m. when troopers received reports that the Epping Police Department had engaged a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicle allegedly fled westbound on Route 101. Shortly thereafter, the Candia Police Department observed the same truck traveling at approximately 105 mph. State Trooper Brian Knell subsequently located the vehicle on Interstate 93 southbound in Manchester and attempted to initiate a traffic stop near Exit 1 on I-293, but the driver refused to yield.
The pursuit exited the highway at Exit 4, leading onto Arnold Street, a dead-end road in Manchester. Upon realizing there was no outlet, Vargas allegedly reversed direction and crashed into a police cruiser operated by Trooper Bryan Taylor. The suspect vehicle then struck two parked cars. Following the collision, both Vargas and an unidentified passenger exited the truck and fled the scene on foot in different directions.
Officers from the Manchester Police Department assisted state troopers by deploying a drone to track the suspects. The aerial surveillance successfully located Vargas running near Hill Street, allowing officers to take him into custody. While the U.S. Marshals Service had an active warrant for Vargas, state police did not disclose the specific nature of the federal charges. Following his arrest, Vargas was charged with felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, simple assault, and conduct after an accident.
Investigative Outlook
This incident underscores the critical nature of inter-agency communication during high-speed pursuits that cross multiple municipal boundaries. The successful apprehension of Vargas relied on real-time coordination between local police in Epping and Candia, the State Police, and Manchester officers utilizing drone technology for tactical surveillance. However, the escape of the passenger presents an ongoing public safety concern, likely prompting a continued search operation to identify and locate the second individual. As the investigation proceeds, federal authorities are expected to coordinate with state prosecutors regarding the precedence of charges. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
