Charges coming after local man leads police on 90 mph chase, driving into oncoming lanes on Route 114

A local man is facing charges after a wild scene and a high-speed chase.

According to police, on Wednesday, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Portsmouth Police Department was notified of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling northbound on West Main Road (Route 114) at a high rate of speed. The vehicle, operated by Richard Troupe, age 46, of Middletown, RI, had reportedly fled from the Middletown Police after officers attempted to stop him for an active arrest warrant for the violation of a domestic no contact order. There was a concern that Troupe may be in possession of a firearm due to previously reported information.

A Portsmouth officer observed the vehicle traveling northbound on West Main Road near Raytheon at approximately 90 miles per hour and attempted to stop it. The operator failed to stop and continued northbound, driving into oncoming lanes of traffic. Officers terminated the pursuit due to the dangerous manner of operation by Troupe. Moments later, the vehicle pulled off the roadway in the vicinity of West Passage Drive and the vehicle collided with a rock resulting in disabling damage.

A female passenger was detained at the scene, while the male operator, identified as Richard Troupe, fled on foot from the crash. As a precautionary measure, Melville Elementary School was directed to shelter-in-place during the incident. Officers established a perimeter and deployed a drone to assist in the search, while Middletown Police responded and deployed a K9 to aid in locating the suspect. At approximately 2:34 p.m., Troupe was located leaving a yard off West Main Road and taken into custody by officers on the scene near Jax’s Diner.

Troupe and the female passenger were both transported to the Portsmouth Police Department for further investigation. The incident remains under investigation, and appropriate charges will be forthcoming.