New Hampshire Kidnapping Suspect Arrested in Portland Maine After Chase

Concord, NH - The United States Marshals Service – New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force and the Maine Violent Offenders Task Force is very pleased to announce that last week's "Fugitive of the Week" was arrested this morning by members of the Portland Police Department after a vehicle chase and crash.

Peter MacVane Curtis, 34 years-of-age, who was last known to be transient in Maine was featured last Wednesday as the US Marshal’s – New Hampshire "Fugitive of the Week." Mr. Curtis was being sought on a couple of outstanding arrest warrants including, kidnapping and criminal threatening with a deadly weapon out of Brentwood, NH, as well as a probation violation warrant on a prior conviction for narcotics that was issued out of Maine.

As part of this feature as the "Fugitive of the Week," Curtis had been aired on WTPL-FM, WNTK-FM, WTSN-FM, WEMJ-FM, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster's Daily Democrat, Manchester Information, the Manchester Ink Link, the Rochester Voice and prominently featured on the internet. The "Fugitive of the Week" continues to be a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its creation in 2007. Additionally, the "Fugitive of the Week" was distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers in New Hampshire and Maine.

In this particular case, the US Marshals offered a reward of up to $1500.00 for information leading to the location and arrest of Mr. Curtis. This reward definitely enticed quite a few people to call in tips that helped to narrow the search for Mr. Curtis. Investigators are still trying to determine if someone is eligible to receive the reward but be assured that it will be paid if that determination is made.

The US Marshal's, New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force and the Maine Violent Offender's Task Force worked seamlessly to follow up on tips, develop leads and help track down Mr. Curtis. Fortunately, this morning, Curtis was caught by eagle-eyed officers from the Portland Police Department who spotted the stolen vehicle that Curtis was sitting in. After fleeing the officers, Mr. Curtis crashed the vehicle and was arrested. Curtis was brought to a local hospital to be treated for any injuries, so that he could be medically cleared to go to the Cumberland County Jail. Curtis will be held as a fugitive from justice on the New Hampshire arrest warrant, as well as his Maine probation violation warrant. Mr. Curtis will likely face additional charges from the Portland Police Department for his offenses today.

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals - New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 8,542 arrests (Updated as of 12/31/2021). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.