A Man is Accused of Smashing a Family’s Windshield With a Baseball Bat While Their Kids Were in the Car
An evening drive in Salem, New Hampshire, turned into a terrifying ordeal for one family. A man allegedly attacked their vehicle with a baseball bat while their two young children were inside. The incident, which took place Thursday evening, led to a swift police response and multiple felony charges against a 21-year-old from Manchester.
The event began with a simple traffic maneuver. It ended with shattered glass and a family in shock.
Violent Encounter on a Busy Boulevard
The situation unfolded near Rockingham Park Boulevard around 6:25 p.m. According to a statement from the Salem, New Hampshire police department, the family reported being cut off in traffic by another driver. The driver of the other vehicle then allegedly stopped, exited his car, and approached the family’s vehicle armed with a baseball bat.
Police described a chaotic scene. The suspect, without warning, allegedly unleashed a violent attack on the car. Officials reported he:
“began smashing their windshield with a baseball bat while threatening them.”
Inside the car, the family, including a small child and an infant, could only watch as the assault happened. The sudden and aggressive nature of the confrontation prompted immediate action from others who saw it happen.
Witnesses and State Police Key to Quick Arrest
Several witnesses immediately called 911, providing dispatchers with critical information. They gave a detailed description of the suspect, his vehicle, and a license plate number. This information was vital for law enforcement. After the alleged attack, the suspect reportedly got back into his car and fled the area, heading toward Interstate 93.
The alert was broadcast to nearby agencies. New Hampshire State Police troopers spotted the vehicle on I-93 and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Anthony Bennett Rovelo Baldovino, 21, of Manchester. He was taken into custody without further incident, bringing a quick resolution to the search.
Suspect Faces Multiple Felony Charges
Following his arrest, Anthony Bennett Rovelo Baldovino was transported for booking. The severity of the alleged actions resulted in a lengthy list of serious charges. The presence of four individuals in the car, including two children, led prosecutors to file four counts for each of the major offenses. The charges include:
- Kidnapping (4 counts): This charge can apply in situations where a person’s freedom of movement is unlawfully restrained through force or threat, such as preventing a family from driving away by threatening them with a weapon.
- Criminal Threatening with a Deadly Weapon (4 counts): This felony charge addresses the act of placing others in fear of imminent serious bodily injury while using a dangerous instrument.
- Reckless Conduct with a Deadly Weapon (4 counts): This charge focuses on behavior that places others at risk of serious injury through the use of a weapon, regardless of the suspect’s specific intent to harm.
- Driving with a Suspended License: A misdemeanor charge related to his operation of the vehicle.
Baldovino was initially held without bail pending his first court appearance. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Friday morning at the Salem District Court, where the formal charges would be presented and the subsequent legal steps would be determined.