News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
March 22, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Lt. Douglas J. Gralenski (603) 271-3128
C.O. Wayne Saunders (603) 788-4850
March 22, 2005

                    SPEEDING SNOWMOBILERS ARRESTED

CONCORD, N.H. -- An investigation of a recent snowmobiling incident by 
New Hampshire Fish and Game's Law Enforcement Division has led to the 
arrest of Michael Gilcreast, age 31, and Shawn Landers, age 33, both of 
Londonderry, N.H. 

On March 5, 2005, Conservation Officer Wayne Saunders and Lt. Douglas 
Gralenski were working a routine assignment in the Nash Stream Valley of 
Stratford, N.H., enforcing speed and safety related violations from 
their snowmobiles, when they encountered Gilcreast and Landers speeding 
northward on the Corridor 5 trail. Gilcreast, the lead snowmobiler, was 
observed operating his snowmobile at the exceptionally high rate of 
speed of 79 mph when Gralenski and Saunders motioned for him to stop. 
Gilcreast accelerated to flee the officers, placing himself and all other 
riders on the trail in grave danger. 

A pursuit initiated by Saunders was quickly called off. The primary 
suspect having fled the scene, the two officers detained Landers as a 
material witness. Upon further investigation, Gilcreast was determined to 
be the suspect who had fled the scene. 
The incident occurred during the "Snodeo" weekend held at Coleman State 
Park in Stewartstown; thousands of snowmobile enthusiasts were on the 
trails in the North Country for the weekend. 

Gilcreast was arrested and charged with two counts of reckless conduct 
and two counts of failing to stop for a Conservation Officer, all Class 
A misdemeanors. Additional charges of operating at 79 mph in a 45 mph 
zone and operating to endanger, both violations, were also brought 
forward. A 2005 ZR900 Arctic Cat snowmobile has been seized and held pending 
trial. Bail was set at $1,500 cash. Arraignment is set for March 31, 
2005, at the Colebrook District Court.

Landers was charged with two counts of interfering with a Conservation 
Officer, both Class A misdemeanors. Bail was set at $500 personal 
recognizance. Arraignment is set for April 14, 2005, at the Colebrook 
District Court.

"I truly hope the court, as well as all fellow snowmobilers, recognize 
the seriousness of the charges against Gilcreast and Landers," 
Gralenski said. "This blatant disregard for the safety of others cannot be 
tolerated. It is my intention to see to it that anyone who may consider a 
similar course of action will look to this example as a strong reminder 
that not only does crime not pay -- but also that it can and will be 
awfully expensive." 

N.H. Fish and Game conservation officers enforce OHRV regulations in 
addition to fish and wildlife regulations. Snowmobile operators caught 
speeding, driving recklessly, or otherwise breaking OHRV regulations are 
prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Find out more about snowmobile safety and OHRV regulations in New 
Hampshire at N.H. Fish and Game's website: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

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Copyright 2004 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.