Alexandria man still wanted by New Hampton police

NEW HAMPTON — A Belknap County grand jury has indicted a man on a count of burglary who is also on the run from the New Hampton Police relative to a variety of motor vehicle-related issues.

Randall C. Root Jr. 22, of 38 Bailey Road in Alexandria is alleged to have burglarized a Gilmanton home on Middle Route some time between Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, 2014. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 20 in the Belknap County Superior Court.

Root is actively being sought by New Hampton Police for allegedly being found by an officer on routine patrol passed out behind the wheel of a running car that was in gear with his foot on the brake. He appears to have nodded off while exiting the Circle K Store onto Rte. 104.

When the officer succeeded in waking him, Root put the car in park and gave him his driver's license. He was told he was not free to leave by a Sanbornton officer who had arrived to assist. Root fled when the officer returned to his cruise to validate his license and both officers gave a brief chase however when Root reached I-93, he allegedly drove erratically and hit speeds topping 95 mph and the police stopped. They issued an all-points bulletin but Root could not be found.

According to personnel at the N.H. Court Judicial Call Center, Root has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2010 and 2011 when he was convicted in Grafton County of receiving stolen property, witness tampering and bail jumping.

On May 19, 2015, Root was sentenced to serve a 12-month sentence in Rockingham County Jail. But between his good time and 266 days credited, he was released on the same day. He also received a 3- to 6-year sentence in the N.H. State Prison from Rockingham Superior Court for receiving stolen property. The sentence was suspended pending five years of good behavior.

New Hampton Police Sgt. Michael Grier said Wednesday they have reason to believe Root is in the Bristol, Alexandria, Ashland area. A day after he fled from police, he left the car that belonged to his mother in Ashland. Anyone who has any information about Root's whereabouts is asked to call the New Hampton Police at 744-5423.