Police in Chesterfield, N.H. released photos that they believe are of John Baldasaro posing as a U.S. Marshall in order to steal from convenience store owners.
CHESTERFIELD, N.H. -- A Massachusetts man was apprehended by the very law officials he impersonated.
The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked down 45-year-old John Baldasaro of Somerville, Mass., after he allegedly stole money from two Chesterfield convenience stores Saturday while claiming to be a U.S. Marshal.
Police arrested Baldasaro in a New York City hotel room Thursday morning on several outstanding warrants. The marshals service became involved in the investigation after the Chesterfield Police Department reported a man impersonated a marshal to kidnap and rob multiple victims in the New Hampshire border town.
"This was an attack on the reputation of the U.S. Marshals, and not something that is taken lightly; the quick and successful arrest of Baldasaro by the U.S. Marshals is evidence of that," said Marshal Stephen Monier in a statement from the task force department.
More federal fugitives are arrested by marshals than all other federal agencies combined. Last year, task forces arrested more than 73,000 fugitives on felony charges.
While impersonating a marshal, Baldasaro simulated a counterfeit money investigation and demanded store owners hand over an untold amount of cash, according to Chesterfield Police.
He entered two Chesterfield stores on Route 9 and told the owners they were in possession of forged currency, even taking one of the shop owners to the bank in an attempt to acquire more money, police said.
The victims complied with his orders, saying Baldasaro -- who carried a gold badge and holstered handgun -- was very convincing in his investigation. Baldasaro later made off in a stolen Jeep Cherokee Laredo with government plates.
Surveillance cameras recorded a man, later identified as Baldasaro, at the New Hampshire stores on Monday. Police put out a regional call Tuesday pinpointing him as the suspect.
"This crime has upset our entire community, if it was not for the U.S. Marshals, outside police agencies, the media and citizens' tips, we would not have found this violent suspect," said Chesterfield Lt. Duane Chickering in a statement. "Hopefully having Baldasaro in custody will put our community back at ease."
Baldasaro was charged in New York as a fugitive from justice based on warrants in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The charges range from parole violation to kidnapping, robbery and impersonating a police officer.
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