Gunman sought in robberies
Mass. man posed as marshal
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Police are seeking a man, seen above in surveillance video frame captures, who robbed a Chesterfield store posing as a U.S. marshal. Police have identified the man as John Baldasaro of Massachusetts. Photos provided |
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By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: May 13, 2009
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. — New Hampshire police are looking for a Massachusetts man accused of impersonating a U.S. marshal, stealing money from a convenience store and kidnapping the store owner to Vermont.
Around 8 a.m. Monday, a man entered a convenience store in Chesterfield, N.H. — about 10 miles east of Brattleboro, Vt., on Route 9 — claiming to be a U.S. marshal who was investigating a counterfeit bill operation. The man displayed a badge and holstered handgun and seized an undisclosed amount of money from the store, police said.
The suspect told the store owner to take him to the bank to check on further counterfeit money. The owner complied with the suspect's demand and handed over what police called a large amount of currency. The suspect then drove the store owner to an undisclosed location in Vermont and then brought him back to the store, saying he would return after investigating other leads in the area.
Police said the suspect made no demands during the trip and they do not know why he brought the store owner to Vermont.
Police said the suspect met with another store owner and again stole money he claimed was counterfeit. No one was harmed during the incidents, police said.
Tuesday night, police identified the suspect as John P. Baldasaro, 45, of Somerville, Mass. Baldasaro is facing felony charges of kidnapping and robbery and additional charges might be filed in the future, police said.
Baldasaro is a white male, between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing between 240 and 260 pounds with dark hair with some gray and a military-style haircut. He was wearing a black business suit with a red-striped tie and maroon shirt and was carrying what appeared to be a Glock semi-automatic handgun and gold badge on his waistband.
Police believe he is driving a stolen black 2009 Jeep Cherokee Laredo with Maine plates.
Baldasaro is considered armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him is advised to not approach him and to call the local police department.
Baldasaro is also wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly stealing $4,000 and an iPod from someone who met him to purchase a vehicle April 2 in Cambridge. After robbing the man, Baldasaro allegedly threatened to shoot him if he didn't run, according to massmostwanted.com.
The Chesterfield Police Department is working with the U.S. Marshal's Service on the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Chesterfield Police Detective David Eldridge or Lt. Duane Chickering at (603) 363-4233.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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