A Wilmot man has been indicted after police allege he tampered with a fire sprinkler at the Concord Police Department while in custody on unrelated charges.
Matthew Miller, 28, now faces one count each of unlawful interference with a fire alarm apparatus and criminal mischief, both felonies which stem from the Sept. 10 incident at the Green Street police station.
Police allege that Miller’s actions caused the fire sprinkler to activate and water to flood the cell blocks and processing station at the police department. More than six inches of water filled the area, causing significant damage to computers and other electronics. As a result, the booking area was out of service for several hours that morning.
Miller was initially arrested on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence following a motor vehicle stop on North State Street.
Concord police Officer Richard Cobb observed a vehicle weaving in and out of its lane at approximately 12:19 a.m. in the area of the New Hampshire State Prison for Men. Cobb pulled over the vehicle and observed that Miller’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” according to a sworn police affidavit. Miller was taken into custody after failing a field sobriety test.
While Miller was at the police station being processed on the DWI charge, Cobb left the booking area to retrieve some paperwork. It was during that time that a night shift supervisor observed Miller on video surveillance demonstrate “highly abnormal behavior” to include inspecting the storm drain. When he reached up to the ceiling and caused the sprinkler to let loose, “Miller began yelling “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, help me!” the affidavit says.
The flood that morning affected not only computers but the department’s ammunition storage area and the elevator. The fire department responded to the call, as well as other agencies to assist in inspecting, repairing and cleaning up the damage.
A dispositional conference in the criminal case against Miller is scheduled for Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. in Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord.