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Alleged car theft leads to felony escape, assault charges

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Writer | Dec 20, 2017

Nashua police photo Justin Hart, age 19, of No Fixed Address, Manchester

NASHUA – A Manchester man wanted in connection with a stolen vehicle out of Londonderry was arrested in Nashua Monday evening, but from what police say, he didn’t exactly go quietly.

Justin Hart, 19, who lists no fixed address, allegedly tried to escape from police on two occasions, then, after succeeding in slipping one of his hands from his handcuffs, allegedly began swinging the cuffs at the head and face of the officer who was escorting him into the police station.

Police said that “numerous” backup officers promptly subdued Hart, and once he was under control they went forward with the booking process.

The officer Hart allegedly attacked required medical attention, and was treated for various head and facial injuries, police said. They said the injuries aren’t

considered life-threatening.

By the time he arrived in the booking area, Hart had racked up six felony and four misdemeanor charges, according to police.

They include three counts of first-degree assault, and one count each of escape and receiving stolen property, Class A felonies, and one count of resisting arrest or detention-serious bodily injury, a Class B felony.

The Class A misdemeanors include two counts each of resisting arrest or detention and simple assault.

Hart ultimately refused bail, police said, and was held overnight at Valley Street jail in Manchester pending Tuesday’s arraignment in Hillsborough County Superior Court South.

Judge Charles Temple, who presided over the arraignment, granted the prosecution’s request for $50,000 cash bail.

Attorney Sarah Amorin, the public defender who represented Hart, told Temple that the allegations are “out of character for him.” Hart entered guilty pleas to the charges.

Police said in their reports that Londonderry police asked Nashua police for assistance in locating the stolen vehicle. Shortly after 5:30 p.m., patrol officers found it parked at the Motel 6, 2 Progress Ave.

They said they observed a male, later identified as Hart, enter the vehicle, at which time officers approached him.

Hart allegedly took off running, police said, but officers were able to catch up to him and place him under arrest.

They did the same a short time later when Hart allegedly acted up while being escorted into police headquarters.

Police ask that anyone with any additional information on the incident to contact the department at 594-3500.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.

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