A man wanted in New Hampshire as a fugitive crashed a stolen car in Groton on Sunday and was found hiding in a crawl space under a home after an extensive search by police that included K-9 units and a drone.
Emergency crews received several 911 calls just after 7:10 a.m. on Sunday about a one-car crash near Esker Point Beach on Groton Long Point Road and found a 2024 Kia Soul on its side after responding to the area, according to the Groton Police Department. The vehicle was at the edge of the beach on a grassy section near the volleyball courts.
Police said the Kia was unoccupied, though a witness reported seeing a man flee the scene on foot on Marsh Road toward Noble Avenue. Investigators then learned that the Kia had been reported stolen out of Salem, New Hampshire and they identified the man suspected to be driving it as 37-year-old Christopher Doleo of Lowell, Massachusetts.
According to police, a booking photo provided by authorities in New Hampshire matched the description of the man seen fleeing the crash.
Police said they also learned that Doleo has an extensive violent criminal history in several states.
Officers searched the area around Noble Avenue and deployed two of the police department’s K-9 teams as well as a drone from the department’s Drone Unit. During what was described as an “exhaustive search,” police were told by witnesses that a man was seen in the area of a home on Noble Avenue.
Police set up a perimeter around the home and saw a man go inside. Officers entered the home and eventually found Doleo hiding in a crawlspace under the residence. He was taken into custody.
Police said Doleo had a warrant out for his arrest that was held by the Salem Police Department for two felony theft charges and one misdemeanor contempt of court charge.
Groton police charged him with larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering with police, third-degree burglary, second-degree breach of peace, reckless driving, evading responsibility involving property damage, operating a motor vehicle without a license and fugitive from justice.
An investigation into the crash led police to believe the Kia was being driven at a high rate of speed south on Groton Long Point Road where the driver failed to navigate a curve in the area of Marsh Road. Police said the vehicle crashed through a guardrail and hit a Groton Parks and Recreation sign and several trees before landing on its side.
After being taken into custody, Doleo was transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and treated for injuries suffered during the crash. He was released from the hospital and was held on a $200,000 bond.
Officers from Groton said their investigation was assisted by the Noank Fire Department, Groton Long Point Fire Department, Mystic River Ambulance, and Lawrence + Memorial paramedics.
