NHSP K-9 Track Leads To Arrest Of Suspect Who Crashed Friend’s SUV, Stole Truck And Ran From State Troopers

RUMNEY, N.H. – A man who crashed his friend’s SUV before stealing a truck, crashing again, and running from State Troopers was taken into custody after a State Police K-9 tracked the suspect back to his home.

Yesterday, March 27, 2024, at approximately 12:38 a.m., Troop F of the New Hampshire State Police was notified of a hit-and-run crash on Depot Street, near Coffin Lane, in Rumney. An investigation later determined that while his friend was driving a Jeep Liberty, Joseph P. Vaillancourt III, from the passenger seat, maneuvered the steering wheel and caused the Jeep to crash into a snowbank. Vaillancourt then left the crash scene and stole a cable truck at a nearby business, before returning and crashing into the Jeep while his friend was still in the driver’s seat. Vaillancourt then drove off from the area in the stolen cable truck. 

Soon after, Trooper Vargas Vargas spotted the cable truck on Depot Street. Trooper Vargas Vargas activated his cruiser’s lights and siren, but Vaillancourt did not immediately pull over. Vaillancourt continued to drive until stopping in the 500 block of Depot Street, where he got out of the truck and ran off. 

Trooper Davis and K-9 Draco were called to the scene and initiated a track for Vaillancourt, with the assistance of Trooper Vargas Vargas, Trooper Carlson and Officer Cass from the Plymouth Police Department. During the track, clothing that Vaillancourt had discarded was found. State Troopers and Officer Cass continued following the track until arriving at Vaillancourt’s home on Monroe Drive, where he was arrested without incident.

Vaillancourt, who was found to have five bench warrants for contempt of court and a suspended driver’s license, was charged with reckless conduct, theft by unauthorized taking, aggravated DUI, attempting to elude police, DUI impairment, disobeying a police officer, driving after suspension, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. He was arraigned in 2nd Circuit Court, District Division, in Plymouth and is being held at the Grafton County Department of Corrections on preventative detention. The case remains under investigation and anyone who may have additional information is encouraged to contact Trooper Vargas Vargas at (603) 223-3750.