Teen in bulletproof vest accused of threatening at gunpoint released on bail

LACONIA — A Peterborough teen accused of threatening someone at gunpoint while wearing a bulletproof vest was released on bail, after probable cause was found they committed a pair of felony crimes.

Isaiah Rousseau, 19, was charged, Sept. 7, with felony criminal threatening with a deadly weapon and felony use of body armor. He was read his charges on Sept. 8, in Laconia District Court, and Judge Christopher Keating ordered he be detained in Belknap County Jail pending trial.

Rousseau appeared in Laconia District Court again, on Sept. 16, where the judge found probable cause for the charges, and after discussion about bail, allowed him to be released on $1,000 bond. The case will now be elevated to Belknap Superior Court.

Court documents state at 5:52 p.m., on Sept. 7, police were sent to Right Way Path, after a caller said two friends were taken hostage by a man with a gun. The caller told police they were in the woods near the Spaulding Building at the former Laconia State School.

The property is owned by the state, but monitored by Laconia Police and a private security company.

Officers reportedly contacted two people involved, aged 18 and 19, who reported an 18-year-old friend told them Rousseau was fighting with a 37-year-old man, described in an affidavit as the “victim.”

The victim told police he was held at gunpoint. He said his truck was parked off the road near the Spaulding Building, and walking to his truck and saw Rousseau going through it, wearing what looked like body armor, armed with a rifle and a pistol. The victim told police he confronted Rousseau and asked what he was doing. Rousseau allegedly unholstered his pistol and pointed it at the victim.

The victim then allegedly lunged at Rousseau in self-defense, tackled him to the ground, and removed his bulletproof vest, and put it in his truck.

Police contacted Rousseau and took him to the Laconia Police Department to be questioned. Rousseau told police he had gone to the former prison grounds with six friends, wearing body armor, carrying pistol and rifle magazines, along with a Glock 43x pistol and a Smith & Wesson rifle.

Rousseau said the pistol was loaded with a round in the chamber, and added the rifle had a magazine in it, but not a round in the chamber. The affidavit stated Rousseau could not give police a “logical reason” why he was walking around armed.

The affidavit states Rousseau told police he came across the truck, but denied being inside it. He later admitted he opened the driver-side truck door to look through it. He told police he didn’t intend to steal anything.

Rousseau told police the truck owner came around the corner and yelled to him, startling him, acting aggressively. Rousseau allegedly started walking away, holding the rifle. He said the victim approached him and started shoving him, and then grabbed the rifle and tackled him to the ground, according to the affidavit.

Rousseau told police he was reaching to unholster the pistol, but the victim put him in a headlock and disarmed him. Rousseau allegedly said the victim put the rifle and vest in the back of his truck, and believed the victim put the pistol in his back pocket. Rousseau allegedly then got up and grabbed the rifle from the truck, and left.

The affidavit states officers spoke with a witness, who said the victim yelled at Rousseau about being in the truck. The victim then threatened to call police after Rousseau allegedly pointed the gun at him. That witness allegedly ran to the group of friends, to tell them to call police.

Police spoke to another witness, who said the group was looking around the victim’s truck. The witness told police he left the area before the fight, but returned to look for Rousseau. The witness saw Rousseau and three others, including the victim. The witness allegedly returned shortly after to look for Rousseau, and while they didn’t see him, heard someone saying, “looking down the barrel of a gun.” The witness then allegedly took off and called the police.

Following the incident, Chief Matt Canfield said hostage-taking and theft are under investigation.

According to David Sakowich, public information officer for the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, the court found probable cause for both felony charges. Following the probable cause hearing, arguments were heard on bail.

Sakowich said the bail order was amended to $1,000 cash, and that Rousseau have no contact with the alleged victim. Another stipulation was no firearms be allowed in his home. Rousseau is also not allowed to possess a firearm, a destructive device, dangerous weapon, or ammunition. He is also prohibited from using alcohol, narcotic drugs, or controlled substances.

After the case is elevated to Superior Court, prosecutors have 90 days for a Grand Jury to indict Rousseau.