NOTEWORTHY PROACTIVE POLICE WORK AND ARREST

The Dunbarton Police Department announces the arrest of Ernest Thompson, 42, Penacook.

Thompson was arrested on Saturday, March 21^st 2026 at approximately 8:30 PM by the Dunbarton Police Department on the charges of:

• 2 Counts of Criminal Trespassing, RSA 635:2, Misdemeanors
• 2 Counts of Possession of a Controlled/Narcotic Drug, RSA 318-B:26, Felonies
• Possession of Drugs in a Motor Vehicle, RSA 265-A:43, Misdemeanor
• Loitering/Prowling, RSA 644:6, Violation

An officer was on patrol in the area of Pioneer Sports, a members-only firearms range, in response to several recent reports of criminal trespassing and theft. The officer observed a vehicle on the property that matched the suspect vehicle previously captured on surveillance footage. The officer also saw that an individual appeared to be actively attempting to circumvent a locked gate on the property. The officer made contact with the individual, subsequently identified as Thompson, and took him into custody without incident. Thompson was also found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Thompson was booked on the above charges and given an arraignment date of Monday, May 4^th 2026 in the 6^th Circuit – District Division – Concord. The Dunbarton Police Department was assisted by members of the Weare Police Department.

An additional suspect has been identified and more charges are expected. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to please contact Officer Tompkins at (603) 774-5500. You may also choose to remain anonymous by calling the Concord Regional Crimeline at (603) 226-3100 or by visiting this link: https://crimewatch.net/us/nh/merrimack/crimeline

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This remains an open and active investigation, and no further information is being released at this time. This press release is for informational purposes only and may contain preliminary information that is subject to change as the investigation proceeds.