Massachusetts police capture New Hampshire fugitive who'd been on lam for nearly a year

Daquhan Cromer Captured in Lowell After Months on the Run

A nearly yearlong manhunt for a New Hampshire fugitive ended shortly after noon on Wednesday in Lowell, Massachusetts, when local police took 29-year-old Daquhan Cromer into custody as he headed toward his girlfriend’s home. Cromer had been on the lam since fleeing a minimum-security halfway house in Manchester, New Hampshire, in December 2025, according to official records reported by NBC News.

The arrest followed a frantic Tuesday night in Salem, New Hampshire, where Cromer successfully dodged local law enforcement and prompted a sudden shelter-in-place order for residents. Authorities lifted the emergency directive by Wednesday morning once intelligence placed the suspect roughly 15 miles south across the state line.

The Hunt and the Halfway House Escape

Investigators stated that Cromer was wanted on an escape warrant issued by the New Hampshire State Prison alongside multiple felony charges tied to Salem. Salem police had recently received tips indicating the fugitive was spending time frequenting a local residence in southeastern New Hampshire.

“He was frequenting a residence here in Salem. And as soon as we got that information, we started looking into it,” Salem police Lt. Robert Kirley told NBC News. “But as far as what he was doing in the meantime (these past 11 months), I don’t know.”

Police noted that departures from minimum-security halfway houses remain exceedingly rare. Lieutenant Kirley expressed bewilderment at the timing of Cromer’s flight, noting that individuals housed in such transition settings are typically very close to completing their sentences and regaining their freedom.

What Remains Unanswered

Law enforcement officials have not yet detailed the exact nature of Cromer’s activities during the eleven months he spent avoiding authorities. When questioned regarding potential accomplices who might have aided the fugitive during his months on the run, Lieutenant Kirley acknowledged that Cromer had a girlfriend whose residence was located in Lowell, though the extent of her involvement remains under review.

Daquhan cromer fugutive mn — Photo: nbcnews.com

Cromer surrendered to officers without incident upon being surrounded in Lowell on Wednesday afternoon. Legal representation for Cromer declined to comment on the case when contacted by reporters.