A 46-year-old Middletown man was arrested Wednesday afternoon following a high-speed chase and foot pursuit that prompted a shelter-in-place order at Melville Elementary School.
Richard Troupe was taken into custody at approximately 2:34 p.m. near Jax’s Diner after fleeing from a crash on West Main Road, according to the Portsmouth Police Department.
The incident began around 2:12 p.m. when Portsmouth police were notified that a black Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound on West Main Road at a high rate of speed. Middletown police had attempted to stop the vehicle because Troupe had an active arrest warrant for violating a domestic no-contact order, police said. There was also concern that Troupe might be armed.
A Portsmouth officer spotted the vehicle near Raytheon traveling approximately 90 mph and attempted to stop it, but Troupe continued driving, moving into oncoming lanes of traffic. Officers terminated the pursuit due to the dangerous manner of operation.
Shortly after, the vehicle pulled off the roadway near West Passage Drive and collided with a rock, causing disabling damage.
A female passenger was detained at the scene, while Troupe fled on foot. As a precaution, Melville Elementary School was directed to shelter in place.
Officers established a perimeter and deployed a drone to assist in the search. Middletown police responded with a K9 unit. Troupe was located leaving a yard off West Main Road and was arrested.
Both Troupe and the female passenger were transported to the Portsmouth Police Department. The incident remains under investigation, and charges are forthcoming, police said.
