Trisha Senter and Eric St. Pierre Arrested Following Chaotic Robbery Incident and Vehicle Crash in South Broadway Area
Location: South Broadway, New Hampshire
Trisha Senter of Plaistow, New Hampshire, and Eric St. Pierre of Sandown, New Hampshire, were arrested following a chaotic robbery-related incident that began around 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening near 125 South Broadway and ended with a police search behind the Town Fair Tire store. The chain of events, which involved a reported fraudulent transaction, a dangerous vehicle crash, and the discovery of illegal substances, has led to a series of charges for both individuals.
The situation began unfolding when officers from the local police department were dispatched to a reported robbery at a commercial area on South Broadway. Initial information provided by dispatchers indicated that the suspects involved had fled the scene by vehicle. However, within moments of their escape, the suspects reportedly crashed their car, forcing them to flee the area on foot. That crash, authorities believe, was the result of reckless driving during their attempt to avoid capture.
According to the victim’s account, he had arranged to meet with a male and female to sell several gold chains. The transaction appeared to be straightforward until the moment the seller inspected the payment and realized the bills handed to him were counterfeit. Upon confronting the pair, he attempted to retrieve the items he had just handed over, leading to a rapid and dangerous response from the female suspect.
In a sudden move, the woman reportedly accelerated the vehicle while the victim was partially inside or hanging onto the car. Witnesses said the victim was dragged for several feet before being thrown to the ground, an act that could have resulted in serious injury. Fortunately, the victim was later treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene.
The suspect vehicle did not travel far before it crashed. The exact circumstances of the crash are still under investigation, but law enforcement sources confirmed that it took place within close proximity to the original incident location. Rather than remain at the crash scene, both suspects fled on foot, prompting a wider police search of the surrounding area.
Officer Mullen, one of the responding officers, took part in canvassing the vicinity, which included several businesses, alleys, and parking lots near the commercial corridor. The search eventually led to the rear of the Town Fair Tire store, where both suspects were located and taken into custody without further incident.
Once detained, a search of the female suspect’s person yielded a small bag of a substance later identified as crack cocaine. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the drugs were found in one of her pockets during a routine post-arrest search. No weapons were reported to be found on either individual.
Trisha Senter now faces multiple charges, including being an accomplice to robbery, reckless conduct, and possession of a controlled drug. These charges reflect not only the act of allegedly facilitating the fraudulent transaction and the attempted escape but also the physical harm caused during the incident.
Eric St. Pierre, meanwhile, reportedly gave officers a false identity at the time of arrest. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that he had multiple outstanding warrants for robbery and related offenses. He is now facing additional charges, including providing false information to law enforcement, resisting arrest, and fugitive from justice. He was also taken into custody and transported to jail.
Community Impact and Law Enforcement Response
The events that unfolded Tuesday evening have sparked concern among South Broadway businesses and residents. The area, known for its retail centers, restaurants, and service businesses, typically maintains a low crime rate compared to other urban corridors. Still, the incident was a stark reminder of how rapidly violence and criminal behavior can disrupt community life.
Several bystanders witnessed parts of the altercation, and some helped provide critical information to law enforcement that led to the suspects’ swift capture. One local employee at a nearby fast-food restaurant shared that he heard tires screeching and saw a man lying in the roadway shortly after. “It was something out of a movie,” he said. “We didn’t know what was happening, but it didn’t feel right. We just hoped the guy was okay.”
Police have praised both the responding officers and the public for their cooperation and quick response, which they say prevented the situation from escalating further. According to investigators, if the suspects had not been found when they were, it could have led to a prolonged manhunt through a densely populated area during business hours.
“This was a volatile situation that could have ended much worse,” a department spokesperson stated. “We’re grateful for the safe apprehension of both suspects, and we are continuing our investigation into all elements of this case, including whether additional individuals may have been involved.”
Legal Consequences and Court Proceedings
Following their arrest, both Senter and St. Pierre were processed and transported to the local detention center. They are expected to appear in court for arraignment within the week. Prosecutors have indicated that they may seek to have both individuals held without bail, particularly in light of the nature of the offenses and the existing warrants.
Legal analysts familiar with similar cases suggest that the charges against both individuals could carry significant consequences if convictions are secured. Accomplice to robbery, for example, is a serious felony under New Hampshire law and could result in extended prison time depending on the severity of the act and prior criminal history. The reckless conduct charge, due to the dragging of the victim by vehicle, may also be upgraded depending on medical reports and further evidence.
Additionally, the presence of controlled substances during the arrest adds another layer of complexity to the prosecution’s case, as drug-related charges often lead to mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines in certain jurisdictions.
Drug-Related Patterns in Regional Crimes
This incident highlights a recurring pattern seen in many property crimes throughout the region—where robbery or theft overlaps with drug dependency or trafficking issues. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly emphasized the connection between substance abuse and the rise in street-level crimes such as fraud, burglary, and violence during exchanges gone wrong.
According to a recent report from the New Hampshire Department of Justice, an increasing number of arrests in the southern part of the state are linked to individuals under the influence or in possession of narcotics at the time of the offense. In many cases, such individuals are found to have engaged in criminal behavior either to obtain drugs or as a result of impairment.
Community advocates and mental health professionals have urged for a multi-pronged approach, one that combines law enforcement with addiction services, to effectively reduce the root causes behind such events.
Business and Public Safety Concerns
In the aftermath of the event, businesses in the South Broadway area are reassessing their safety protocols. Several store managers expressed concern over how easily the incident escalated and the proximity of the crime to high-traffic shopping zones and family-oriented establishments.
Some businesses are now considering the installation of upgraded security cameras, panic alert systems, and better lighting in parking areas. Meanwhile, police have promised to increase patrol visibility in commercial corridors, especially during evening hours.
“We always encourage sellers—especially those engaged in peer-to-peer transactions like jewelry or electronics—to use designated safe zones for exchanges,” said a representative from the department. “Many police stations now offer monitored parking lots for exactly these situations.”
The incident also raises questions about counterfeit money detection, as the fake $100 bills used in this case were not immediately identified until after the exchange. Police suggest using currency-checking pens or digital scanners whenever cash is exchanged during private sales.
Moving Forward
As the investigation continues and court proceedings unfold, the community remains on alert but resilient. Residents and local leaders are emphasizing the need to stay vigilant while also offering support for those affected.
There is a shared sentiment that while this incident was disturbing, it also represents an opportunity to strengthen safety practices, build partnerships between law enforcement and the public, and provide more resources for addiction recovery services.
For now, Trisha Senter and Eric St. Pierre remain in custody as charges are processed and evidence is reviewed. The South Broadway community is left to reflect on a night that disrupted lives but may also serve as a catalyst for change.
