MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Police arrested a would-be robber who was shot Jan 4 outside an apartment building on South Porter Street. Police say Michael Bontaites was shot by his intended victim, a 65-year-old woman, who told Bontaites followed her home from a local gas station where she stopped briefly after work.
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Bontaites, 23, who has no fixed address, was shot in the chest by the woman, whose identity was not released by police. Bontaites sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest.
The 65-year-old woman who was Bontaites’ alleged intended victim, told police she had stopped at Mobil on the Run, 1050 South Willow St., around 11:30 p.m. after leaving work. She got back on South Willow Street and stopped at a traffic light when she noticed a dark-colored sedan behind her. She told police she had “heightened concern” as the vehicle followed her into her apartment complex parking lot at 640 South Porter St.
The woman entered her apartment complex and noticed multiple vacant parking spots, so she parked as close to her building as possible hoping the other vehicle would vacate the area. Instead, the sedan parked close to her. She exited her vehicle and walked toward her apartment building. She immediately heard a vehicle door close and the sound of a person quickly walking up behind her. She turned and saw a white male with a dark hooded sweatshirt who quickly approached her from behind before running past her and blocking her path. Bontaites reached out and allegedly attempted to grab the woman who, at this point, drew her hand gun from her pocket and shot Bontaites once in the chest at close range.
The woman, who is described as 4-foot-11 inches tall and 105 pounds, was in fear for her safety, police said, so she drew her concealed handgun and shot Bontaites in the upper chest.
The woman, who has a valid concealed carry gun permit, fired one round to stop the attack before seeking a safe zone inside of the building. Bontaites, who is 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, fell to the ground as she ran into the secured building and contacted the Manchester Police Department through the emergency 911 phone line.
A female occupant of the dark colored sedan picked up Bontaites off the ground and placed him in the car. As the 911 call was being dispatched to on-duty personnel, another Manchester Police Officer located and identified Bontaites as he entered the Elliot Hospital emergency department. Bontaites was treated for a gunshot wound to the chest.
Detectives charged Bontaites with Robbery, a felony, early Tuesday afternoon.
He was charged and arraigned at the Elliot Hospital at approximately 12:30 p.m. Bontaites bail was set at $5,000.00 cash/surety. He is scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on January 14, 2016.
Detectives are actively investigating the incident to determine if the additional occupants of the sedan will face criminal charges. Therefore, no additional information will be provided at this time.
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