Trio of local men lead authorities on three-hour chase over Gunstock trails

After leading police and conservation officers on a chase across Gunstock Mountain Resort for more than three hours Saturday night , three 30-something-year-old men riding off-highway recreational vehicles — also-known-as four-wheelers — were arrested and charged with criminal trespass and other offenses.

Peter Filgate, 35, of 4 Hook Road, Gilford was charged with criminal trespass. James Adrignola, 36, of 1972 Route 140, Gilmanton was charged with criminal trespass and disobeying an officer. Joshua Crowder, 35, of 26 Blue Tick Road, Bristol was charged with criminal trespass, disobeying an officer, operating an OHRV after suspension and operating as an habitual offender.

At 5:23 p.m. a resident of Area Road informed police that several four-wheelers had entered Gunstock, where motorized vehicles are prohibited. Sergeant Dana Farley and Conservation Officer Michael Eastman of the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, together with Doug Irving, assistant general manager of Gunstock, were the first to reach the scene and soon observed the riders on the summit of Gunstock Mountain. More than two hours later — at 7:40 p.m. — they were reported at 320 Belknap Mountain Road, but withdrew to the woods and returned to the summit after a resident reported them to police.

Around 9 p.m. the riders were intercepted near the Gunstock maintenance shed. Filgate immediately surrendered to Farley and Officer Dustin Parent, who earlier arrived with K-9 Agbar to assist.

According to a police report, Adrignola and Crowder fled into the woods, pursued by Eastman and Irving, who soon found Adrignola hiding in the wood line. Eastman searched for Crowder, who by now was identified as a habitual offender.

Eventually Crowder came down the main road into Gunstock, speeding past Farley and Parent at a high speed. Farley gave chase, but Crowder eluded him and followed the Gunsmoke Trail back to the summit. Taking the maintenance road toward the summit, Eastman intercepted and apprehended Crowder.

Police said they fielded frequent complaints about four-wheelers crisscrossing Gunstock. General Manager Greg Goddard said that along with posting signs reading "No Motorized Vehicles," he has placed gates, Jersey barriers, boulders and logs around the property in an effort to thwart trespassers, all of which have been ignored and bypassed.

Filgate, Adrignola and Crowder were released on personal recognizance bail and are scheduled to be arraigned in Laconia District Court on December 7.