Maine man suspected in Florida car theft arrested after high speed chase on I-95

Emil Girard (NHSP photo)

HAMPTON FALLS - A suspect in a Florida car theft who was suspected of heading to Maine was arrested on Sunday after a high speed chase on Interstate 95.

The BOLO (be on the lookout) was for a Maine-registered 2018 Nissan Murano, which was spotted in Hampton Falls going more than 100 mph by a state trooper around 7:30 p.m.

When Trooper Cameron Vetter observed the vehicle at the high rate of speed he activated his emergency lights and began to approach the vehicle, according to a press release sent this morning. In doing so, he observed it to match the stolen vehicle out of Florida.

As the pursuit developed the suspect vehicle increased speed, leading to a brief pursuit up Interstate 95 and onto Route 101 West, where the suspect vehicle took Exit 12.

At that point the pursuit ended due to high speed and traffic conditions.

State Police and other local law enforcement agencies canvased the area for the suspect vehicle and soon after Vetter located the vehicle on Interstate 95 North. He got behind it and activated the cruiser's emergency lights, but once again the suspect vehicle fled.

Another brief pursuit ensued up Interstate 95, concluding when the suspect vehicle left the roadway and crashed in the area of Exit 5. The male operator was the only one in the vehicle and fled the crash on foot, police said. A perimeter was set up to contain the suspect until a State Police K-9 team arrived.

Sergeant George Sanborn arrived and deployed his K-9 partner, Scout, who was able to successfully locate the suspect in a marshy area around a quarter mile from the crash. The suspect surrendered to law enforcement without further incident and identified as Emil Girard, 23, of Biddeford, Maine.

Girard was treated on scene by Portsmouth Fire for minor injuries. Once cleared, he was transported to Rockingham County Jail for processing and was held in custody, pending arraignment.

Girard faces a variety of charges, to include receiving stolen property x2, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest, reckless operation and driving after revocation/suspension.

Details of the incident remain under investigation. Anyone with any information related to the incident is asked to contact Trooper Cameron Vetter at Cameron.S.Vetter@dos.nh.gov.