Pursuit Suspect Taken Into Custody After Crashing Into State Police Cruisers

ASHLAND, N.H. – A suspect who struck multiple New Hampshire State Police cruisers while attempting to evade Troopers and local law enforcement officers is in custody. 

At 7:44 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, Trooper Nathaniel Perkins of the Troop F barracks attempted to stop the driver of a 2015 Ford Focus for traveling 104 mph on Interstate 93. A pursuit was initiated as the driver of the Ford did not stop, turned off the vehicle’s lights and continued at high speeds. 

Several minutes later, the pursuit suspect entered a residential area in Holderness, made a U-turn, and struck and disabled Trooper Perkins’ fully marked State Police cruiser, putting him and his K9 partner at risk of severe injury. Additional Troopers and local law enforcement officers responded and continued to pursue the suspect. 

During the 45 minutes that followed, the suspect continued to attempt to elude law enforcement and drove his vehicle at a Trooper who was outside their cruiser. The suspect also attempted to hide his vehicle in various locations, including a driveway, where police surrounded him; however, in another attempt to escape, the suspect struck a second State Police cruiser multiple times before the suspect’s vehicle became stuck. Within moments, the suspect, identified as Jack Dobbins, 19, of Waterville Valley, was taken into custody and charged with disobeying an officer, reckless driving, driving after revocation or suspension, and multiple felony counts of reckless conduct with a deadly weapon. A female passenger was briefly detained and later released without charges. Dobbins, who was treated at the scene for minor injuries, refused bail and remains held at the Grafton County Department of Corrections. No one else was injured. 

State Troopers assigned to the Troop F, Troop D and Troop E barracks, as well as local police officers from Campton, Thornton, Plymouth, Plymouth State University, Ashland, and Holderness provided assistance during the pursuit. Anyone with information that may assist the ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact Trooper Nathaniel Perkins at (603) 451-9543.