Tips Lead to the Arrest of Fugitive of the Week in Maine

Concord, NH – The United States Marshals Service is very pleased to announce the arrest of "Fugitive of the Week," Matthew Stevenson this afternoon.

“Fugitive of the Week,” Matthew L. Stevenson, 41 years-of-age, was wanted on arrest warrants issued by both the Manchester and Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Police Departments. The Manchester Police Department was seeking Stevenson on arrest warrants alleging the offense of strong-arm robbery. The Portsmouth Police Department holds a warrant alleging 7 counts of assault, criminal trespass, and breach of bail.

Mr. Stevenson had been featured as the "Fugitive of the Week" on April 27, 2022, which was 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 implementation in 2007. Additionally, the "Fugitive of the Week" was distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers in New Hampshire. This feature was updated on May 3rd, with the addition of up to a $500 reward for information leading to the location and arrest of Stevenson. It is unknown at this time if someone will be receiving any of the reward.

Since the original feature, the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force had received several tips pointing to both the Rochester, New Hampshire and the Shapleigh, Maine areas. This afternoon, U.S. Marshals went to Shapleigh, Maine based on new tips that pointed to a camper on Hubbards Cove Road. After a short period of surveillance, Mr. Stevenson was seen at the camper. The U.S. Marshals requested the assistance of the York County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police, who quickly responded to assist in the safe arrest of Stevenson.

Stevenson was turned over to the York County Sheriff’s Office to be charged as a fugitive from justice on his outstanding New Hampshire arrest warrants. Mr. Stevenson will be held without bail at the York County Jail pending his initial court appearance tomorrow and eventual return to New Hampshire to face these very serious charges.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals – New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force & Maine Violent Offenders Task Force; including members from the Strafford (New Hampshire) and York (Maine) County Sheriff's Offices, Maine Department of Corrections, the Greenfield, Manchester, Portsmouth, Rochester, and Somersworth Police Departments, and the Maine State Police along with deputy U.S. Marshals.

U.S. Marshal Nick Willard said, "This case had a lot of moving parts that crossed many jurisdictions and state lines." Willard continued, "This is exactly where the US Marshal's Task Forces excel; by providing coordination and the ability to cross these city, county, state & even international borders to make the investigation seamless until the fugitive is brought to justice."

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.