NH, Maine fugitive taken into custody in Portland after chase, crash

Peter Curtis (US Marshals photo)

CONCORD - A fugitive from justice wanted on kidnapping and other charges out of Maine and Brentwood was arrested Monday by Portland (Maine) Police Department after a vehicle chase and crash.

Peter M. Curtis, 34, a Maine transient, was being sought on a couple of outstanding arrest warrants including, kidnapping and criminal threatening with a deadly weapon out of Brentwood, as well as a probation violation warrant on a prior conviction for narcotics that was issued out of Maine.

As part of this feature as the "Fugitive of the Week," Curtis had been aired on the Rochester Voice and other media outlets as well as distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers in New Hampshire and Maine.

U.S. Marshals offered a reward of up to $1500.00 for information leading to the location and arrest of Curtis, which enticed quite a few people to call in tips that helped to narrow the search.

On Monday morning Curtis was caught by eagle-eyed officers from the Portland Police Department who spotted the stolen vehicle that Curtis was sitting in. After fleeing the officers, Curtis crashed the vehicle and was arrested. He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for any injuries, and later cleared to go to the Cumberland County Jail.

Curtis will be held as a fugitive from justice on the New Hampshire arrest warrant, as well as his Maine probation violation warrant and will likely face additional charges from the Portland Police Department for his offenses on Monday.