Robbery suspects arrested in SWAT team call in Dover
DOVER — A SWAT team responded to Whittier Falls housing Friday, where police arrested two men in connection with a suspected robbery. The crime was held at gunpoint hours earlier at a different location, according to police.
The Strafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit, with weapons drawn, and Dover police were joined at the Dover Housing Authority residential area by New Hampshire State Police and a police dog unit.
Dover police Chief William Breault said the suspects arrested were Christopher A. McLaughlin, 22, of Newton, Massachusetts, and Ande Keele, 22, of Brockton, Massachusetts.
Dover police Lt. Scott Pettingill said no one was injured and after the arrests there was no danger to the public. He said the SWAT team was utilized because police knew the suspects were armed and they wanted to get them safely out of the building.
During the overnight hours, Dover police said, they had begun investigating a reported armed robbery of a person inside a vehicle parked on Hampshire Circle in Dover. Police said the suspects were in the vehicle with the victim. No one was injured during the robbery, and the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.
Police allege McLaughlin and Keele committed the robbery and went to 74 Whittier St. in Dover. The Dover Police Department requested the assistance of the Strafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit to take McLaughlin and Keele into custody and to secure the residence for the execution of a search warrant.
Evidence linking McLaughlin and Keele to the robbery, including a firearm was located inside the residence during the search, police said. In addition to the robbery, McLaughlin was charged with two outstanding warrants for criminal trespass and an electronic bench warrant, all misdemeanors.
McLaughlin and Keele refused bail and are being held at the Strafford County Jail pending arraignment Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Dover police ask anyone with information to call the department at (603) 742-4646. Tips can be reported anonymously to the Dover Crimeline at (603) 749-6000 or via dovernhcrimeline.org.