Richard Troupe as he appeared in his booking photo.

Portsmouth Police Department

PORTSMOUTH — A Middletown man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after police say he led officers on a high-speed chase from Middletown into Portsmouth before crashing and fleeing on foot.

According to the Portsmouth Police Department, officers were notified around 2:12 p.m. of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee speeding north on West Main Road.

The driver, identified as Richard Troupe, 46, of Middletown, was reportedly wanted on an active arrest warrant for violating a domestic no-contact order, police said.

Police said they also had information suggesting he might be armed.

A Portsmouth officer spotted the Jeep near Raytheon traveling about 90 mph and attempted to stop it. Police said Troupe continued northbound, crossing into oncoming traffic.

Officers ended the pursuit due to the dangerous driving, but the Jeep soon left the road near West Passage Drive and hit a rock, disabling the vehicle.

A female passenger was detained at the crash scene, while Troupe fled on foot. Out of caution, Melville Elementary School was placed on a shelter-in-place order during the search. Officers set up a perimeter, deployed a drone, and were assisted by Middletown Police and a K9 unit.

At about 2:34 p.m., Troupe was found leaving a yard off West Main Road and taken into custody near Jax’s Diner, police said. Both Troupe and the passenger were transported to the police station for further investigation. 

Troupe was charged with reckless driving/eluding an officer with a motor vehicle in a high-speed pursuit; resisting arrest; and driving after his license had been suspended, revoked or canceled — his seventh and subsequent offense.