Rochester companies evacuated while police were looking for a suspect – News – fosters.com

ROCHESTER – Police evacuated businesses along the Highway 11 corridor on Sunday night as they searched for a man suspected of being armed and dangerous.

Rochester police police captain Jason Thomas said it was not an active shooter situation. He added that the police thought that the man was confined in the woods behind the shops, which explains the evacuations.

Walmart and the nearby Ridge Market businesses, including Basket Market, were evacuated. From 22:30 on Sunday, the police reported no shots or injuries. The police were always looking for the man.

According to the police, a man armed with a rifle was seen in the back parking at Walmart, 116 Farmington Road, before disappearing into the woods.

Police search Christopher L. Thomas, 27, homeless. He has three warrants for criminal threats, as well as four warrants for theft, according to the police.

It was thought that Thomas was in the area behind Walmart and Market Basket, somewhere in the woods along the development of The Ridge.

As a precaution, all surrounding businesses were evacuated Sunday evening.

"Fortunately, the neighborhood is mostly made up of businesses and few residential neighborhoods," said Captain Thomas. "The man we are looking for has active arrest warrants and we think that it is a dangerous subject."

In addition to the Rochester Police, the SWAT regional team from Strafford County and the Seacoast Emergency Response Team (SERT) have been activated.

The Rochester Police Department Facebook page warned people to avoid going to the area on Sunday.

Captain Thomas stated that the SWAT teams were activated at 16:52 and the police started evacuating the shops at 5:23 pm.

Police are urging people to call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

"We do not know what he's wearing. He has a slim waist, about 5 feet 8 inches and weighs 150 pounds, with hair marks on his face, "said Capt. Thomas about Christopher L. Thomas.