NH Transitional Housing Unit Escapee Arrested In Hooksett: Update

HOOKSETT, NH — Officers in Hooksett, involved in another call, located a halfway house escapee missing since late May.

Joseph O'Rourke of Concord was placed on escape status on May 20 and was last seen in Manchester at a Dunkin' Donuts not long after. He had a lengthy criminal history — with his most recent case being a guilty plea to robbery, burglary, first-degree, and second-degree assault charges in February 2016, after an incident in Manchester. His earliest parole date was December 2020, with a maximum release date of December 2025.

Police in Hooksett were informed Sunday O'Rourke was staying in town somewhere. Due to his prior charges, he was considered "very dangerous," according to Janet Bouchard, the chief of police in Hooksett.

On Tuesday, officers were at Shaw's Supermarket on an unrelated call when they saw a man who looked like O'Rourke.

"After confirming there was a valid warrant for his arrest, they approached O'Rourke outside of the store," Bouchard said. "As they attempted to arrest O'Rourke he fled on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and canvassed the area for O'Rourke."

A sergeant spotted O'Rourke exiting a wooded area behind Walgreens on Hooksett Road and attempted to chase him down. Not long after, he was caught, she said.

O'Rourke was taken to police headquarters, processed, and charged with resisting arrest. He was then taken to the New Hampshire State Prison for Men in Concord.

One of the officers was also injured during the chase and taken to the hospital for treatment, Bouchard said.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Hooksett Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.