Three Men Arrested for String of Sawed-Off Shotgun Robberies

CONCORD, NH—United States Attorney John P. Kacavas announced that James C. Karahalios, Jr., age 30, Manchester, New Hampshire; Matthew Karahalios, age 26, Manchester, New Hampshire; and Patrick Chasse, age 21, Hooksett, New Hampshire, were arrested today by federal and state law enforcement officers after a federal grand jury returned a 23-count indictment which charged the group with engaging in five separate armed robberies in Manchester, New Hampshire during the period of September 23, 2010, through November 14, 2010.

The indictment alleges that James C. Karahalios, Jr., Matthew Karahalios, and Patrick Chasse acted together in committing robberies at: (1) TD Bank, 70 Bay Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, on September 23, 2010; (2) Spring Hill Suites, 975 North Perimeter Road, Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 6, 2010; and (3) Rite Aid Pharmacy, 53 Hooksett Road, Manchester, New Hampshire, on November 10, 2010. The indictment also alleges that during the TD Bank, Spring Hill Suites and Rite Aid Pharmacy robberies, the group utilized and brandished a sawed-off shotgun.

In addition to charges involving the conduct of the group, the indictment alleges that: (1) James C. Karahalios, Jr., and Matthew Karahalios acted together to commit a robbery at Super 8 Motel, 2301 Brown Avenue, Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 31, 2010, during which they utilized and brandished a sawed-off shotgun; (2) James C. Karahalios, Jr., and Matthew Karahalios conspired together to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, OxyContin (oxycodone) and Percocet (oxycodone), from January, 2010, through November, 2010; (3) Matthew Karahalios and Patrick Chasse acted together to commit a robbery at Hess Gas Station, 805 Massabesic Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, on November 14, 2010; and (4) James C. Karahalios, Jr., possessed firearms after having previously been convicted of a felony offense.

The charges outlined in the indictment consist of violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2, 371, 924, 1951, 2113, and 2118, and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846. The investigation was conducted by members of the Manchester, New Hampshire, Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The case will be prosecuted by Terry L. Ollila, Assistant United States Attorney.

An indictment is only an allegation and not proof beyond a reasonable doubt of criminal conduct. As in all criminal cases, defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.