Armed career criminal, felon in possession charges carry hefty sentences

Michael Polchies (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - An East Rochester man has been indicted on charges of being an armed career criminal and a felon in possession of a firearm.

Michael Polchies, 35, with a last known address of 7 Salmon Falls Estates, was arrested on the charges on June 24 after police - acting on a welfare check - found him slumped over and unconscious in his car and in possession of a loaded handgun at a parking lot at 77 South Main St. a little after 2:35 a.m.

Upon arriving officers found a gray Honda sedan which was running with the driver's door open. Inside they located Polchies who appeared to be unconscious in the driver's seat.

As officers attempted to see if he was OK, they observed what appeared to be packages of illegal drugs and a loaded handgun under his leg, police said.

The officers were able to take Polchies into custody and he was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for observation and possible treatment as he appeared by the under the influence of drugs.

A search warrant was later completed on the vehicle by police leading to the charges.

Polchies also had an active arrest warrant from state Probation and Parole division.

Seized in the arrest were what is believed to be clonazepam, heroin and cocaine along with $2,429 in cash. The handgun which Polchies was in possession of was determined to be previously stolen.

Two indictments handed down Aug. 18 note that Polchies had in his possession a Walther PK 380 handgun and that he has been convicted in New Hampshire of three or more felonies.

Polchies is currently being held at Strafford County Jail on $100,000 cash bail.

The two charges carry maximum cumulative sentences of 60 years in prison and $29,000 in fines.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that enough evidence has been gathered to warrant a trial.