PRESS RELEASE
On January 15, 2005 at approximately 10:23 PM, the New Ipswich Police Department received a phone call from a male subject who wanted to report a possible fight that was going to occur behind the Appleton Business Center that evening.
With the assistance of the Mason and Greenville Police and a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy, Police conducted a search of the area. While they were observing the Appleton Business Center parking lot for any suspicious activity, they noticed a black flat bed tow truck pull into the Appleton Business Center parking lot from Tricnit Road. The truck went around the building several times before stopping. Shortly after, they witnessed a dark colored Ford pickup truck pull in around the back of the Appleton Business Center.
The officers then observed what appeared to be four subjects engaged in a fight on the right side of the Appleton Business Center towards the back parking lot. As the New Ipswich Officer went to the back entrance and pulled in behind the tow truck, the male driver put the vehicle in gear and it began to roll forward towards the Greenville Police Cruiser.
The driver ignored all lawful commands to stop the vehicle and swung the truck around so that he was facing the New Ipswich Officer. He maneuvered the transport truck and attempted to head towards the rear of the New Ipswich Cruiser, causing the officer to feel that the driver was going to ram the cruiser. The officer moved his vehicle and the truck departed the lot, followed by the Greenville and New Ipswich officers.
The truck was abandoned on a logging road off of Stowell Road in New Ipswich. Police contacted the owner of the truck and it was determined that Mark Stacey, 27, of Woodland Drive, New Ipswich had been in possession of the vehicle. The Greenville Officer's police K-9 tracked the scent to Woodland Drive from the logging trail where the truck had been abandoned.
They spoke to the owner of the residence, James Hawkins, 41, and determined that none of the occupants of the tow truck were still at the residence. It was determined that Hawkins' red Ford truck had been taken from the property without permission. The truck was entered into NCIC and found undamaged back at the Hawkins' residence on Saturday January 15, 2005 just before 5:00 PM.
The tow truck was towed from the scene and impounded for the evening. It was released to the owner the next day. Evidence found within the truck was seized and is being held at the New Ipswich Police Department.
Five subjects were detained for questioning at the Appleton Business Center by the Sheriff's Deputy and released after statements were obtained. One of the subjects sustained a minor injury as a result of the fight and was treated on the scene by ambulance personnel.
Police were also assisted by two Jaffrey Police Officers and two Wilton Police officers.
The incident remains under investigation.