CONCORD, NH — File this under Mission: Impossible.
An arrest report from NH State Police reads a little like an episode of “Breaking Bad:” Three people arrested Jan. 3 for plotting to break into a police impound lot under cover of night to retrieve possibly incriminating stuff from a Pontiac Aztec (like the one driven by Walter White in “Breaking Bad,” incidentally.)
The Aztec had been towed there by State Police on Jan. 1, after police suspected the driver of illegal drug activity. The next day a tipster called police to say someone was going break into the impound lot to gain access to the Aztec.
In the end three people — Erik Parker, Alfred Morin and Melinda Hanks — all now face felony charges for the alleged caper.
On Jan. 1 at about 10:15 p.m. State Police Trooper Christopher Martineau stopped Eric Parker, 44, of Franklin as he drove on I-93 northbound in Northfield, due to defective equipment. After running a check on his license, Trooper Martineau arrested Parker for driving after suspension (second offense). He was bailed and a date was set for a Franklin District Court appearance. However, during the course of the inventory search of his Aztec, evidence of illicit drug activity was discovered by police which prompted the vehicle to be seized and towed to Troop D, pending an application for a search warrant.
A passenger in the vehicle who, at the time, provided false information about his identity, was released. He was later identified as, Alfred Morin, 31, also of Franklin.
On January 2 State Police received a tip that Morin was going to attempt to gain access to the seized vehicle at the Troop D barracks to retrieve evidence from the Aztec. Sure enough, just before 3 a.m. on January 3, Bow Police Officer Matthew Pratt was on patrol when he observed Morin at the fence line on the I-89 northbound off-ramp, that overlooks the Troop D barracks. Morin had a full-faced winter hat with mask, and a two-way radio.
Morin was taken into custody by State Police. A short time later, Troopers spotted two people sitting inside a vehicle parked at the Park-n-Ride abutting the Troop D barracks, where the Aztec was impounded. The passenger was recognized by police as Erik Parker, the man previously arrested by Trooper Martineau.
The driver was identified as Melinda Hanks, 51, of Franklin.
Both Parker and Hanks were arrested and the vehicle, a Subaru Outback, was seized pending a search warrant.
All three were held at the Merrimack County Jail in lieu of bail and expected to be arraigned at the Concord District Court on Jan. 4. The charges area as follows:
Erik Parker: Three felony charges — criminal solicitation, attempt to falsify physical evidence; conspiracy to falsify physical evidence and a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to hindering apprehension or prosecution. Parker was held on $5,000 cash bail.
Alfred Morin: Two felony charges — attempt to falsify physical evidence; conspiracy to falsify physical evidence; and a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to hindering apprehension or prosecution.
Additionally, Morin was wanted by the Gilford Police Department on a felony charge of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer/theft of a motor vehicle. Morin refused the services of a bail commissioner and is being held without bail until his arraignment.
Melinda Hanks: One felony charge of conspiracy to falsify physical evidence and a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to hinder apprehension or prosecution. Hanks was held on $2,000 cash bail.
The State Police was assisted by the Bow Police Department.
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