PRESS RELEASES 
Email Updates
5/28/2011 - Assault and Suspicious Activity
The Rye Police Department is investigating a report of suspicious activity and an assault involving a vehicle.
On May 28, 2011 at approximately 1:00 PM, a juvenile was walking on Washington Road near Fern Ave in Rye. A gray BMW sedan with black interior and a sunroof pulled over. The driver, a white male, asked the juvenile if he wanted a ride home. The juvenile said no and walked away as the vehicle drove off towards the center of town. Unknown license plate state with a possible number CH-406.
On May 26, 2011 A Rye officer was dispatched to Portsmouth Regional Hospital to take an assault report. The officer talked with the victim. The victim was assaulted in the cemetery. The victim said this occurred on May 26, 2011 between the hours of 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM.
The Rye Police are asking anyone with information to call. In addition, police are asking anyone who may have been at the Rye Cemetery on May 26, 2011 to call the Rye Police Department at (603) 964-5522, contact us through Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling (603)431-1199 or go online to www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org.
3/15/2011 - Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident
On March 15, 2011 at approximately 0021 hrs. the Rye Police Department was dispatched to the area of Wallis Sands State Park for a serious motor vehicle accident. The Rye Fire Department was also dispatched. When officers arrived on scene, they located a 1997 Ford Contour approximately 100 feet below the roadway on the rocks and sand at Wallis Sands State Park. There were three people in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The driver, identified as Rebecca Ann Smith, 21, died as a result of her injuries. The passengers suffered serious injuries.
Investigators believe the vehicle was traveling south on Ocean Boulevard before the crash. Speed and alcohol appear to be factors. Only the back seat passenger was wearing a seat belt.
Rye Police and Fire Departments were assisted on scene by North Hampton Police and Fire, New Castle Police and the Portsmouth Fire Department.
1/12/2011 - Arrests Made in Pipe Bomb Incident
On August 14, 2010 the Rye Police and Fire Departments were called for a suspicious device located on the beach north of Jenness State Beach. After an investigation on scene, the New Hampshire State Police Explosive Unit made the device safe.
The Rye Police, New Hampshire State Police and the FBI worked together to locate the origin of the device. With the assistance of the Home Depot Loss Prevention team, Portsmouth Police, the media and information received from the public, the Rye Police Department was able to gather sufficient information to determine who was involved with the creation and transportation of the device. Further investigation resulted in two witnesses who came forward with support from their families to give specific information about how the device got into the ocean and onto the beach area.
As a result of the investigation on January 12, 2011 Adam Whitman 10/01/89 of 41 Spring Hill Rd New Castle, NH; and Harrison Bohenko 04/21/90 of 500 FW Hartford Drive Portsmouth, NH were charged with a misdemeanor, Careless Operation of a Boat. They each pled guilty in Portsmouth District Court and each received a sentence of $1,000.00 fine, $750.00 suspended provided one year good behavior.
11/23/2010 - Assault at Jenness Beach
The Rye Police Department is investigating a simple assault that took place on November 21, 2010 at approximately 9:00 PM. A female was assaulted by a male at the Jenness State Beach parking lot. The victim was alone in the parking lot at the time of the assault. The suspect did not make any attempt to steal her belongings and fled the scene accompanied by a second male and a female. The suspect and both witnesses were described as teenagers.
The male suspect is described as;
Gender: Male
Race: White
Build: Medium
Height: Tall, approximately 5’ 10”
Age: 16 to 20
Dark colored hair, short hair cut but beginning to grow
No facial hair
Clothing: Dark colored jacket, jean pants.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rye Police Department at 603-964-5522 or make an anonymous tip through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199 or www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org.
9/2/2010 - Beach Closures
Due to the impending hurricane warning and possible dangerous ocean current conditions the Town of Rye is closing all Town of Rye beaches on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 5:00 PM through Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 6:00 PM. The dates and times are subject to change, depending on the weather and ocean current conditions. Town beaches will be publicly posted when closed.
The Town of Rye Beach Commissioners, and Police and Fire Chiefs are asking for public cooperation. By going into the water you are putting yourself and rescuers at risk. Police, Fire, and lifeguards may have to leave other emergencies in order to assist you. Again, we are asking for the public’s cooperation and request that everyone stay away from dangerous ocean conditions.
8/19/2010 - UPDATE: Suspicious Device on Jenness Beach
On August 14, 2010 at 5:52pm, the Rye Police and Fire Departments were called for a suspicious device located on the beach just north of Jenness State Beach. After looking at the device, the New Hampshire Sate Police Explosives Unit was called to make the suspicious device safe. After the device was made safe, Sgt. Parsons of the New Hampshire State Police Explosives Unit took the device to conduct an examination. After conducting a preliminary examination, it is believed the material inside the pipe could have ignited or caused the pipe to explode. NH State Police are sending this material to the State lab to confirm this finding.
It may take several months before this information can be confirmed due to a back log of criminal cases the State lab is involved with. At this time, Rye and New Hampshire State Police along with the FBI continue to work together in an attempt to locate where the device came from. We have received some information from the public.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rye Police Department at 603-964-5522 or make an anonymous tip through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199 or www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org.
8/14/2010 - Suspicious Device on Jenness Beach
On August 14, 2010 at 5:52pm, the Rye Police Department was called to Ocean Blvd. north of Jenness Beach for a suspicious device on the beach. A person walking the beach found a silver pipe about 8 inches long, capped at each end with a wick coming out of the side. The pipe appeared to have washed onto shore. Officers cleared the area with the assistance of the Rye Fire Department and called in the NH State Police Explosives Unit. On arrival, State Police made the device safe. They will bring the device to headquarters for examination to determine if it was a legitimate threat or not. The beach was reopened around 8:30pm.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Rye Police Department at 603-964-5522 or make an anonymous tip through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199.
8/13/2010 - ATM Theft
On August 13, 2010 at 9:55am, the Rye Police Department responded to Ocean Blvd. Pizza at 1215 Ocean Blvd for a theft of an ATM machine. This business is located on the corner of Ocean Blvd. and Wallis Rd. Entry was made through a side door hallway that led to the room where the ATM was located. The theft is believed to have occurred between 10pm on August 12, 2010 and sometime in the early morning on August 13, 2010.
If anyone has any information, please contact Officer Scott Sullivan at 603-964-5522 or make an anonymous tip through Seacoast Crime Stoppers website at 603-431-1199.
7/27/2010 - Motor Vehicle Crash vs. Pedestrian
On 07/27/10 at 6:38pm, the Rye Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the area of 2203 Ocean Blvd. for a motor vehicle crash with injuries, car vs. pedestrian.
It appears that a father with his 7 year old son and 12 year old daughter were trying to cross Ocean Blvd within a crosswalk. A car stopped for the pedestrians in the crosswalk, and a second car stopped behind the first. As the family started to cross the road, a third car rear ended the stopped cars which pushed the lead car into the pedestrians. The 2 children were transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. A passenger in the lead car was transported to Exeter Hospital, and a pregnant female passenger in the second car was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. All injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. North Hampton and Portsmouth Fire Departments assisted on scene.
The accident is still under investigation. Charges have not been filed at this time. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash. Anyone with information about the accident is urged to contact the Rye Police Department at 603-964-5522.
7/21/2010 - Serious Motor Vehicle Crash
On 07/21/10 at approximately 9:45 PM, Rye Police and Fire Departments responded to a motor vehicle crash with injury at Washington Rd and Dow Ln. Upon arrival, officers found a 2004 GMC 2500 pick up truck through a telephone pole. There were wires hanging low to the ground. Officers identified two subjects involved in the crash as
Nicholas Fudge Age 20
46 Orchard Hill Road Greenland, NH
Wonsung (Mark) Fairbrother Age 20
30 Garfield Road Portsmouth, NH
Both were arrested for internal possession of alcohol. A third subject involved in the crash fled the scene. He was seen by a witness hosing blood off of himself on a porch of a house near the crash scene. North Hampton and Greenland Police assisted with the crash and the subsequent search. This person was later located at Portsmouth hospital and identified. He has not been charged with an offense at this time.
All three sustained non life threatening injuries. An investigation is still ongoing. It is anticipated more charges will be filed as a result of this crash.
Alcohol is a contributing factor of this crash. Based on the amount of property damage and the damage to the vehicle the three are lucky to be alive. As a Police Chief I am asking people to make family and friends accountable for their actions. Ask where they are going, what time they will be home, and who they are with. It does not matter the age of the person everyone needs to be safe on the roads. If crashes like this continue it is only a matter of time when a local Police Chief will be reporting a death to a community. Alcohol related deaths are a 100% preventable.
7/21/2010 - Jelly Fish Stings at Wallis Sands
On July 21, 2010 at approximately 1:46 PM, Rye Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to Wallis Sands State Park for several victims of jelly fish stings. Wallis Sands State Park is an ocean-front sandy beach often catering to large crowds. Due to the number of patients requiring medical attention, Rye Fire Department requested assistance from Portsmouth, Newington, North Hampton, Greenland and Stratham Fire Departments. 5 juveniles were transported to area hospitals for non-life threatening injuries. Because of the immediate response by park personnel, lifeguards, police and fire departments, further injuries were prevented.
7/6/2010 - Felonious Sexual Assault
The Rye Police Department, in conjunction with the Portsmouth Police
Department, conducted an investigation involving a juvenile incident.
As a result of that investigation, the Rye Police Department
arrested JORDAN BLY (DOB
12/09/91) of
5/14/2010 - Motor Vehicle Crash/ Felony DWI
On 5/13/2010 at 8:46pm, Rye Police and Fire Departments were
dispatched to 370 West Rd. for a motor vehicle accident with unknown
injury.
On arrival, officers found a red 1999 Chevrolet pickup with significant
damage across the road into a telephone pole. Officers found 2 subjects
still inside the vehicle. The driver was identified as
Kenneth Bean 3/18/87
206 Atlantic Ave. #2
North Hampton, NH
Bean suffered minor injuries and was treated on scene. The female
passenger suffered serious injuries and was entrapped. Fire personnel
extricated the female using the jaws of life and transported her to
Portsmouth Regional Hospital where she remains in serious condition.
Bean was arrested and charged with aggravated DWI. He was later released
on $5,000 personal recognizance bail with a June 21, 2010 arraignment
date.
North Hampton Police and Fire Departments assisted on scene.
Anyone within information regarding this case is urged to contact Rye
Police at (603) 964-7450. Anonymous tips may be made by calling Seacoast
Crime Stoppers at (603) 431-1199 or online at
www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org.
4/7/2010 - Explosive Device (follow up)
On April 4, 2010 at approximately 11:41 AM Rye Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to Odiorne Point State Park to investigate a device believed to be a pipe bomb. Officers talked with witnesses and after viewing the device from a distance, requested New Hampshire State Police Explosives Disposal Unit to respond. Sergeant Andy Parsons arrived and made the device safe. Rye Police, New Hampshire State Police, ATF and the FBI worked together on this investigation. Because of a tip from Seacoast Crime Stoppers, we are confident we know how the device was made and how it got to Odiorne Point State Park. With this information, we feel the community is safe. If you see something that appears unusual and you're not sure what it is, DO NOT pick it up. Call your police and/or fire department and we can make sure the item is safe. The Rye Police would like to thank New Hampshire State Police, FBI, ATF and Portsmouth Crime Stoppers for their assistance. Thanks to the media for quickly getting the information to the public. Most of all I would like to thank the public for promptly calling the police when the device was found. A solid community partnership is the most effective way to secure our communities.
4/4/2010 - Explosive Device
On April 4, 2010 at approximately 11:41 AM, the Rye Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to Odiorne State Park to investigate a device believed to be a pipe bomb. Officers talked with witnesses and after viewing the device from a distance requested New Hampshire State Police Explosive Unit to respond. Trooper Andy Parsons arrived and made the device safe. The Rye Police and New Hampshire State Police are asking if you see something that may appear unusual and you're not sure what it is do not pick it up. Call your police and or fire department and together we can make sure the item is safe to handle. This is being investigated by the Rye Police and New Hampshire State Police.
The Rye Police Department is asking anyone with any information to please call 603-964-5522 or Portsmouth Crime Line at 431-1199.