Concord Transient Arrested On Arson, Theft Charges In Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Portsmouth police believe they have the perp who set a Ford F-350 dump body truck on fire in Prescott Park Saturday. Stephen P. Denault, 32, of no fixed address, has been charged with felony arson and criminal mischief charges as well as theft from a motor vehicle, default of bail conditions, and an electronic bench warrant. According to Capt. Darrin Sargent of the Portsmouth Police Department, firefighters and police were sent to the park around 2:15 a.m. for a report of a truck on fire.

"Evidence on scene suggested that the fire was intentionally set," Sargent said. "Fire investigators from both the police and fire departments processed the scene for evidence. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of (Denault)."

Denault is no stranger to police in Portsmouth and Concord, too. He was out on bail after being accused of stealing a work truck from Pierce Island during the weekend of Sept. 21. Denault was also out on bail after being arrested on burglary, receiving stolen property, bail, and other charges in Concord during the past few months, Sargent said.

In August and September, Denault was also charged with criminal trespass, criminal mischief, resisting arrest or detention, and warrants in Concord, according to posts on Patch, and a resisting arrest charge in Dover last month, too, according to Fosters.com. The Concord Monitor reported on Sept. 24 that Denault was arrested on Chenell Drive after being found asleep in a pickup truck that was stolen from Massachusetts. Last August, according to the Bangor Daily News, Denault was arrested on receiving stolen property and resisting arrest in Portsmouth while riding in an alleged stolen kayak along the Piscataqua River.

Denault is being held without bail and is expected to be arraigned today in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Portsmouth Police Department at 603-427-1500. Anonymous tips can be made through Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling 603-431-1199, online at www.seacoastcrimestoppers.com, and through the new “P3” phone app available as a free download for Apple and Android phones. Rewards of up to $1,000 may be paid for help solving cases if the information leads to an arrest or indictment of a suspect(s).

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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