FARMINGTON – On Friday, Aug. 21, the Farmington Police Department recognized several individuals for their roles in helping arrest a fugitive of justice on July 17. As part of that incident, a 1-year-old boy that had been allegedly kidnapped by the suspect was rescued.
The incident began on July 16, when Somersworth, N.H. police issued an Amber Alert for Malachi Grant, a 1-year-old child allegedly taken from his mother’s custody without permission. A Berwick man, Jeremiah Grant, 33, was suspected in both the alleged kidnapping and taking without permission the 1991 Honda Accord he was operating.
At approximately 1:25 a.m. on the morning of July 17, Farmington Police Officer Darin Gilbert stopped a vehicle on the Fairbanks Road that he recognized as being sought in the Amber Alert. As Gilbert was talking with Grant, the Berwick man drove off, leading FPD, Maine State Police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on a pursuit through the towns of Strong, New Vineyard and back into Farmington.
The suspect was caught when officers deployed a spike mat and deflated the tires on the suspect’s vehicle, forcing him to stop. The child was found unhurt in the vehicle and later reunited with his mother.
“Due to the actions of the officers and dispatchers that night,” FPD Chief Jack Peck said in a statement released this week. “I believe that they probably saved the child’s life.”
A number of officers and public safety officials were recognized at Friday’s event. These included Franklin County Regional Communications Center dispatchers Levi Gould and Diane Serino, FPD officers Gilbert, Justin Blais, Michael Lyman and Sgt. Edward Hastings IV. Also recognized was FCSO Deputy Nick Zecher and Cpl. Nathan Bean as well as Maine State Trooper Reid Bond.
The mother, child and the child’s grandfather all attended the recognition ceremony.
Grant appeared in court in July and was ordered to undergo a competency hearing in advance of any extradition proceeding. A Franklin County Grand Jury indicted Grant last week, on one count of eluding an officer, a Class C felony, as well as misdemeanor reckless conduct and endangering the welfare of a child. Those charges only address criminal activity that Grant is alleged to have conducted in this state.
You all should be very proud of yourselves!!
I am glad the powers to be recognize the abilities of the personnel involved in these incidents.
Sharp Team work. Thanks.
Great job to all! Thank goodness there was a happy ending to this unfortunate situation.
Franklin County doesn’t mess around! With all the news going on lately, this is a story we all needed to hear.
Great work! Congratulations to Farmington for such topnotch employees.
Thank you for your hard work and bravery
Congratulations and thank you to all involved!
Great job to all. Glad the child is home safe and sound.
Great job! Thankful that we have outstanding officers & dispatchers :)
Thank you to the Farmington Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Dept., and the Maine State Police!! What an amazing group of people! Extraordinary team work! Malachi’s entire family sends heart felt gratitude and appreciation.
I have NO doubt that God used the FPD to intercept this frightening, critical situation! I am SO thankful that my son & my grandson are safe and I continue to pray that the Lord works through qualified, professional, compassionate people so that my son is able to get the help he desperately needs.Thank you all for handling this with such professionalism and respect! We are so grateful for the way God worked through you all to rescue Malachi!
Thank you!
Sue Grant, NH