City man accused of pointing handgun at passing motorists remains held in jail

James Corbett remains held at Strafford County Jail in Dover (Corbett/Somersworth Police; Strafford County Jail/courtesy)

DOVER - The Rochester man accused of terrorizing passing motorists in Somersworth by pointing a loaded pistol at multiple vehicles on High Street Thursday remains in Strafford County Jail today following an arraignment in Dover Circuit Court on Friday.The terrifying incident unfolded Thursday around 12:50 p.m. when Somersworth Police were told that the subject, who was said to be despondent, was shouting obscenities and pointing a weapon at motorists in the vicinity of the AT&T Mobility Store on High Street.

James Corbett, 48, of Rochester was taken into custody a short time later after a witness told police that the suspect was in the vicinity of Dover Marine.

Upon arrival officers learned that the male subject had fled into the woods behind the store toward the City of Dover, Somersworth Police Captain Matthew Duvall told The Rochester Voice on Friday.

While searching the area for Corbett, a Somersworth Officer encountered him walking on the sidewalk with the firearm still in his hand, within the City of Dover.

"When confronted Corbett ran behind a residence off of Route 108 toward the Willand Pond recreation area," Duval said. "Dover and Somersworth Officers set up a perimeter and quickly located Corbett on the water's edge."

Somersworth and Dover officers then negotiated with Corbett for around three hours before he peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody by members of the Strafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit.

Prior to his arrest Corbett, when removing his firearm, appeared to have discharged it into the ground. but with the use of a drone, it was quickly determined that the discharge was accidental, police say.

Strafford County Jail personnel said today he continues to be being held on no bail.

Corbett was charged with Reckless Conduct with a Deadly Weapon (Felony B) and Resisting Arrest or Detention (Misd. A). The maximum sentence for the felony is three and a half to seven years in prison.