Salem Police Expand Search Area and Issue Shelter-in-Place Warning for Dangerous Fugitive
Residents in parts of Salem, New Hampshire, faced strict shelter-in-place instructions on Tuesday as law enforcement agencies launched an active manhunt for a fugitive who should be considered armed and dangerous. The Salem Police Department confirmed that the suspect, identified as Daquhan Cromer, should be considered armed and dangerous, prompting a localized security lockdown that disrupted neighborhood routines.
The operation centers around an individual described as a Black man standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing roughly 215 pounds, featuring a heavy build, short dreadlocks, and a short dark beard. According to details released by the Salem Police Department, Cromer was last seen wearing a white tank top and dark pants.
From Millville Street Outward: How the Security Perimeter Grew
Police initially directed the shelter-in-place advisory toward residents near Church Avenue, Granite Avenue, and the Route 28 area, according to the Salem Police Department.
Authorities subsequently broadened the directive. The search zone now encompasses everyone within a one-mile radius of Millville Street and Taylor Street, where investigators placed his most recent known whereabouts. Residents inside this expanded perimeter have been instructed to remain indoors while tactical units and local officers canvass the neighborhoods.
Prior Felony Warrants and Criminal History in New Hampshire and Massachusetts
The current manhunt follows a history of law enforcement encounters involving the suspect across state lines. State records show Cromer is wanted on an active escape warrant from the New Hampshire State Prison alongside multiple outstanding felonies in Salem.
Court and police records highlight a prior incident from 2019, when Cromer was taken into custody following a high-speed vehicle pursuit through Salem. During that operation, officials noted that he drove a car stolen out of Massachusetts and intentionally struck multiple police cruisers before being subdued.
In addition to the New Hampshire escape warrant and local Salem charges, WMUR reported that Cromer carries an active warrant out of Massachusetts for aggravated assault on a child.
What Remains Unknown and Next Steps for Residents
As the investigation continues, police have not disclosed specific details regarding how the prison break occurred or whether investigators have confirmed any recent sightings outside the immediate Millville Street radius. Local officials urge anyone who encounters suspicious activity or spots an individual matching Cromer’s description to contact the Salem Police Department immediately rather than approaching the suspect.
