With the aid of surveillance video, police in Allenstown and Hooksett believe they know who’s been firing a high-powered BB gun at homes in both towns, dating back to late January.
The two departments said information on their investigation will be released soon, perhaps later this week.
Allenstown Police Chief Michael Stark and Det. Mike Bowen said the release of information depends on when the two departments can compare notes in their joint investigation.
Police viewed videos from locations in each town and saw what they believed to be the same vehicle leaving the scenes, Bowen said.
“We do have a suspect in mind,” said Bowen, who added that the shooter could very well know that he’s being targeted by police.
“He may know it by now,” Bowen said.
Bowen said reports that windows and glass doors were being shot – leaving small, circular holes surrounded by spider-web-like cracks – began on Jan. 30. The latest incident was last week.
In all, 15 homes have been hit in Allenstown, Bowen said. There have been no injuries, but the potential for serious harm has never been far away.
Bowen believes the gun being used in the crimes may fire a pellet or BB or both at more than 1,500 feet per second. He said it could be powered by a CO2 cartridge, making it quite dangerous.
“It could be used for small game,” Bowen said. “It couldn’t take down a deer, but someone could be watching TV and get hit and be blinded. This was high-powered and sounded like an actual firearm.”
Added Stark, “Our concern is that these appear to be high-powered pellets or BB guns, and they’re getting through windows and denting doors. We don’t want this to escalate.”
Bowen said two of the 15 incidents in his town involved windows of vehicles, but glass visible from the front of houses has been the central target, he added.
Hooksett police said they’ve investigated at least 10 similar reports and confirmed that they indeed have someone in mind, the same alleged shooter as the one Allenstown Police are looking at.
A suspect surfaced after Allenstown and Hooksett police saw “a similar vehicle, maybe a sports utility” on video near two of the shootings, Bowen said.
Once police narrowed their search to one suspect, they noticed that the alleged shooter lived within two miles of all the reported incidents in Allenstown, totaling 15, Bowen said.
Asked if a second shooter might have been involved, Bowen said, “We have it narrowed down to a possible lone suspect. That is what we are working with.”