Man Vandalizes Portsmouth, NH, Animal Hospital

A man who vandalized a Portsmouth veterinary office Monday night was taken into custody after fighting with police.

Portsmouth Police were called to Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital on Commerce Way around 10 p.m. by staff who said a man was punching windows and throwing things. When police arrived the man ran off, and refused an officer's order to stop.

The suspect, later identified as Stephon Thomas, 26, had also damaged equipment at the office according to police.

Thomas, who is homeless and stays in both Portsmouth and Rochester, ran into the parking lot of the neighboring Homewood Suites Hotel and got into a fight with police before being subdued. Thomas was charged on a bench warrant from Rochester, resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief.

He is being held at the Rockingham County Jail pending an arraignment.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH