Stolen Police Vehicle Recovered
The Portsmouth Herald, NH
03/12/03

Portsmouth - An unmarked police cruiser stolen from North Providence, R.I.,
was recovered by Portsmouth Patrolman Peter Sheldon Tuesday night, according 
to Captain Janet Champlin.

The suspect, William Pinoe, 32, of Worcester, MA, was later apprehended by Seabrook
Police and held on separate charges, according to Champlin. Seabrook police 
declined to comment on those charges.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Portsmouth Police received a BOLO (Be On the
Look Out) request from the North Providence Police Department. They said the suspect 
may be headed for Portsmouth in a white, 2003 Crown Victoria Interceptor 
with a stolen government plate.

"He has been a suspect in some other motor vehicle thefts," said an officer 
communicating by radio.

"The last time he did this, he dumped a cruiser there and stole something out 
of the Ford garage," an officer said over police radio.

Champlin declined to comment on the suspect's criminal record of previous 
crimes against Portsmouth Ford.

Police tracked the vehicle to the Seacoast using telecommunications technology. 
An in-vehicle modem connected with cellular phone towers in Taunton and Boston, 
MA, before signaling one in Hampton and another in Portsmouth. The Portsmouth 
connection traced the car to Interstate 95, according to radio communication.

"Between here and Stratham, we've got [Route] 33 saturated with all of the other
agencies," an officer said over the police radio during the search.

Portsmouth Police also alerted Maine authorities of the missing vehicle.

"If the car is going to Maine, it could slide right by us very quickly," an officer
said by radio.

"He could be in Portland by now," an officer said around 8:40 p.m.

By 9:10 p.m., Officer Sheldon had found the white cruiser parked at the Portsmouth 
Ford automobile dealership off the Spaulding Turnpike while conducting his search.

"I want to commend the patrol officers, especially Officer Sheldon, for finding the 
vehicle in a timely manner," Champlin said. "The faster we recover it, the better 
the chances are in completing the investigation and getting the suspect."

Champlin said because the case is still under active investigation, she was unable
to comment on any suspects or evidence at press time.

Once Sheldon recovered the cruiser, a K-9 team was deployed to conduct a scent track.

The vehicle was towed form the parking lot around 10:15 p.m. and brought to the 
Portsmouth Police Department for further investigation.


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