HAMPTON FALLS/PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — A late-night pursuit on Interstate 95 Monday culminated near Exit 3 in Portsmouth after tire-deflation devices disabled a speeding Chevrolet Malibu. According to a New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) news release provided to Granite State Report via official social media, the driver—identified as Gongping Cheng, 39, of Monterey Park, California—was arrested after a brief struggle. Troopers reported seizing several driver’s licenses from multiple states bearing numerous false identities. Cheng is charged with four felony counts of forgery, sixteen misdemeanor counts under New Hampshire’s driver’s license prohibitions law, and additional misdemeanor counts including disobeying an officer, reckless conduct, resisting arrest or detention, and a violation-level charge of reckless operation. The defendant was held in preventive detention pending arraignment in Portsmouth District Court on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
Key sources in this report include the New Hampshire General Court’s online RSA (state statutes), the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, and national research on police pursuits and identity fraud. Citations are placed throughout.
The core facts
- Traffic stop attempt: At 9:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, Trooper Patrick Vetter (Troop A) observed a 2023 Chevy Malibu traveling 98 mph in a 65 mph zone on I-95 northbound in Hampton Falls. The driver did not stop; a pursuit began, continuing into Portsmouth.
- Tire deflation devices & stop: Sgt. Gary Wood Jr. successfully deployed tire-deflation devices; at least one tire deflated. The car rolled for a short distance and stopped near Exit 3 in Portsmouth.
- Arrest and charges: After a brief struggle, the driver was taken into custody and identified as Gongping Cheng. Investigators say they discovered multiple fake driver’s licenses representing several different states with false identities.
- Pretrial status: NHSP said Cheng is held in preventive detention pending Portsmouth District Court arraignment.
Note: All charges are allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Where exactly this happened — and why Exit 3 matters
Exit 3 serves the NH-33/Greenland/Portsmouth corridor on I-95 North—a busy stretch that funnels traffic toward the Pease Tradeport and the Portsmouth traffic circle. It’s a logical place for a fleeing driver to bleed off speed after tires deflate; there are multiple off-ramps and shoulders, and traffic density varies by hour. Public references show Exit 3’s location and services, and broadly outline how Portsmouth is accessed via Exits 3–7, with Exit 3 connecting to NH-33. (I Exit App)
The charges in plain English
Forgery (Felony): New Hampshire’s forgery statute, RSA 638:1, makes it a crime to alter or “utter” a writing (including government documents) with intent to defraud. Forgery is a class B felony when the document “is or purports to be” a government instrument—think licenses, IDs, and other official credentials. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
Driver’s license prohibitions (Misdemeanors): Under RSA 263:12, it’s a misdemeanor to display or possess fictitious or fraudulently altered driver’s licenses, represent another person’s license as your own, or lend your license to another person, among other prohibited acts. The law has been refined over time (including rules on electronic scanning/storing of license data). (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
Resisting arrest or detention (Misdemeanor/Felony in certain injury cases): RSA 642:2 criminalizes knowingly or purposely physically interfering with an officer attempting an arrest or detention. If serious bodily injury results, the charge can rise to a class B felony. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
Reckless conduct (Misdemeanor unless a deadly weapon is used): RSA 631:3 covers conduct that places another in danger of serious bodily injury. It becomes a class B felony only if a deadly weapon is used. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
Reckless operation (Violation): RSA 265:79 addresses reckless driving (often called reckless operation). In New Hampshire, it’s a violation (not a crime) with mandatory fines and license revocation—including explicit reference to 100 mph or greater speeds. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
Why the mix of felonies, misdemeanors, and a violation? If investigators conclude the seized cards purported to be official government IDs (e.g., state driver’s licenses), the corresponding forgery counts are felonies under RSA 638:1. But using or displaying those documents can also be charged under RSA 263:12 as separate misdemeanors. Traffic-behavior elements (like 98 mph in a 65) land under RSA 265:79 as a violation, while the physical confrontation elevates exposure under RSA 642:2 and RSA 631:3. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
How New Hampshire structures police pursuits
New Hampshire requires every law-enforcement agency that conducts emergency responses or vehicle pursuits to adopt a written pursuit policy, aligned with accreditation standards, and to keep it on file for oversight. That’s codified in RSA 265:8-a. While NHSP’s full policy isn’t routinely posted, public records repositories and document releases show the policy exists and has been subject to Right-to-Know requests. (Justia Law)
At a tactical level, agencies often rely on tire-deflation devices (“spike strips” or Stop Sticks) to lower risk by slowing a fleeing vehicle. The devices puncture and gradually deflate tires, maintaining some controllability to reduce spin-outs—precisely the tool Portsmouth’s sergeant deployed here. But deployment is inherently dangerous for officers and motorists; training emphasizes positioning, communication, and avoidance paths. Trade publications and training briefings document officer fatalities linked to spike-strip use, underscoring why policies specify where, when, and how to deploy. (Stop Stick Ltd.)
The bigger picture: pursuits, public risk, and evolving policy
Nationally, police pursuit fatalities remain a persistent public-safety issue. NHTSA data series and independent analyses place annual deaths from pursuit-involved crashes in the hundreds, with some years exceeding 500 fatalities. A JAMA Network Open analysis of 1982–2020 found long-term upward trends in pursuit fatalities and highlighted the lack of a national standard—each department sets its own policy, with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) pushing for limits to pursuits aimed at violent crimes or imminent threats. Recent coverage shows 2022 hit 577 pursuit deaths, the highest on record at that time. (JAMA Network)
Policy momentum has accelerated: states and cities are re-writing pursuit rules. Hawaii advanced a statewide framework restricting pursuits largely to serious offenses, inspired in part by investigative data documenting thousands of pursuit-linked deaths; other jurisdictions, from Milwaukee to Houston and New York City, have tightened or clarified when chases are justified. The debate is live: public safety vs. offender escape risk. (San Francisco Chronicle)
New Hampshire context: The statutory requirement (RSA 265:8-a) ensures agencies—from State Police to municipal departments—have written pursuit policies. Individual agencies (e.g., Wolfeboro PD, Bethlehem PD) publicly post versions that, while not binding statewide, illustrate common thresholds (e.g., felony nexus, risk calculus) and reporting expectations. NHSP routinely publishes briefings about pursuits when public help is needed or to summarize outcomes, including instances where helicopter support or tire deflation devices were used to mitigate risk. (Justia Law)
Identity and driver’s licenses: why forged IDs are a big deal
Forged or fraudulently altered driver’s licenses are more than props; they can enable financial crimes and evade detection across jurisdictions. New Hampshire’s RSA 263:12 criminalizes display or possession of fictitious or altered licenses, and RSA 638:1 treats forging government-issued documents as a felony. For victims, a compromised license number can fuel identity theft or synthetic identity schemes. FTC guidance points those affected to IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan and official Identity Theft Reports used by creditors and law enforcement. Federal and consumer resources outline practical steps—credit freezes/fraud alerts, pulling free credit reports, reporting to police, and monitoring accounts. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
New Hampshire has also emphasized credential security in recent years. The state redesigned its driver’s license and ID cards with enhanced security features to combat counterfeiting, a move consistent with national trends in document security. Industry analysts describe how new substrates, tactile features, and print techniques complicate forgery. (dmv.nh.gov)
What happens next procedurally
The news release says Cheng is held in preventive detention and will be arraigned in Portsmouth District Court (10th Circuit – District Division). The Circuit Court – District Division handles misdemeanor and violation-level offenses and initial proceedings on many felony matters before transfer, when applicable. Public court resources outline typical arraignment timing and probable-cause review when a defendant is held, and list Rockingham County’s district divisions (including Portsmouth). Preventive detention decisions are governed by RSA 597—New Hampshire’s bail law—allowing detention if a court finds by probable cause that release would endanger the safety of the defendant or the public (or in specific “qualifying offense” scenarios). Arraignment generally must occur within 36–48 hours, excluding weekends/holidays, depending on circumstances set out in the statute and court rules. (New Hampshire Judicial Branch)
A precise timeline of the pursuit and arrest (based on the NHSP release provided to GSR)
- 9:30 p.m. — Trooper Patrick Vetter observes a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu at 98 mph (65 mph zone) on I-95 North in Hampton Falls; driver fails to stop.
- Into Portsmouth — Sgt. Gary Wood Jr. deploys tire deflation devices; at least one tire deflates as the car continues briefly.
- Near Exit 3 — Vehicle stops; brief struggle; driver arrested and identified as Gongping Cheng, 39, Monterey Park, CA.
- Search/Investigation — Troopers report multiple driver’s licenses from several states with false identities.
- Booked — Four felony forgery counts; sixteen misdemeanor counts under RSA 263:12; additional misdemeanors (disobeying an officer, reckless conduct, resisting arrest or detention) plus a reckless operation violation.
- Status — Preventive detention pending arraignment in Portsmouth District Court.
Witness information: NHSP asked anyone with information to contact Trooper Patrick Vetter (email provided in the agency’s release).
Why “stop sticks” were likely the least-bad option here
Pursuit calculus is brutal: at freeway speeds—98 mph in this case—every extra mile increases collision risk for uninvolved motorists. Spike strips are not magic; they don’t instantly stop a car, they bleed off speed while keeping some steering control, ideally encouraging a controlled stop away from dense traffic. Training emphasizes deployment from cover, coordination between units, and pre-planned escape lanes so pursuing officers don’t hit the spikes. Safety bulletins tally dozens of officer deaths since the mid-1990s related to tire-deflation deployments—part of the reason many agencies view spike strips as a measured but high-risk tool. (Stop Stick Ltd.)
In Seacoast New Hampshire, where I-95 compresses into 16 miles of turnpike before the Maine line, controlling a fleeing car before it reaches choke-points (bridges, construction bottlenecks, toll approaches) is sound risk reduction. General references describe I-95’s short NH segment (about 16.1 miles) and key interchanges that complicate pursuit decisions. (Wikipedia)
The public-safety stakes
Research and federal data show the human cost of pursuits isn’t limited to suspects; passengers and uninvolved bystanders account for a significant share of fatalities and serious injuries. That’s driven agencies and policymakers to tighten pursuit criteria—often requiring a violent-crime nexus or imminent threat, and mandating supervisory authorization and continuous risk assessment. New Hampshire’s requirement that every agency maintain a written policy provides a framework for consistent training and after-action review, but the day-of decision remains at the trooper level, guided by policy and supervisor oversight. (Bureau of Justice Statistics)
If you think your license or identity was compromised
Because this case involves alleged forged driver’s licenses with false identities, it’s a timely reminder:
- Check for red flags: Unrecognized accounts, mail about credit you didn’t apply for, or unexplained bills.
- Report and recover: File at IdentityTheft.gov to generate a recovery plan and an Identity Theft Report used to dispute fraudulent accounts. Pull free credit reports and consider fraud alerts or freezes.
- State action: Notify your DMV if your license is lost/compromised; request a replacement and ask about fraud flags.
The FTC, DOJ, and USA.gov host practical checklists for consumers navigating identity theft and license-related fraud. (Federal Trade Commission)
What to watch in court
At arraignment, the court will read the charges, consider conditions of release, and, if the state seeks continued preventive detention, weigh danger to the public, flight risk, and statutory factors. The District Division handles misdemeanor and violation matters and the initial stages of felony cases; felonies can later be bound over to Superior Court. Expect defense counsel to probe probable cause for each charge (e.g., whether seized licenses meet felony-forgery thresholds and whether any statements or searches face suppression issues). Statutory timelines generally require prompt arraignment and, where applicable, probable-cause determinations within 48 hours (excluding weekends/holidays), with exact posture depending on warrant status and detention context. (New Hampshire Judicial Branch)
Related training & explainer videos
Below are educational videos explaining pursuit tactics and ID-theft risks. They’re not evidence in this case; they’re included for context.
1) Stop Stick® official training overview (tire-deflation device basics)
Source: Stop Stick, Inc. (YouTube)
2) Policy debates: NYPD pursuit changes
Context: media coverage of evolving urban pursuit rules. (YouTube)
3) Comparative policy discussion (Minnesota)
Local news explainer about how different agencies restrict pursuits. (YouTube)
4) Driver’s license & identity theft explainer
Consumer reporting segment on license-based identity fraud. (YouTube)
Context notes about the troopers named in the release
NHSP news archives show Trooper Patrick Vetter frequently listed as an investigating or lead trooper on Seacoast crashes and high-speed incidents (e.g., I-95 and Route 1A work), and Sgt. Gary Wood Jr. referenced in multiple pursuit-related posts. That aligns with their assignments in Troop A and contextualizes their roles Monday night. (nhsp.dos.nh.gov)
Editorial analysis: this case sits at the crossroads of two national debates
Pursuit risk vs. accountability. If all alleged facts hold, troopers confronted a driver nearly 35 mph over the limit on a busy interstate, then allegedly found a stash of high-quality fake IDs. That’s the nightmare pairing that argues for decisive intervention: extreme speed and identity obfuscation. Modern policy leans toward restricting pursuits for non-violent offenses; here, the driver’s behavior—both speed and failure to stop—created its own public danger. Tire-deflation to force a stop near Exit 3 was a risk-managed choice consistent with national training.
Identity fraud’s real-world consequences. “Fake IDs” aren’t just for underage drinking. They launder identities across states, erode license integrity, and can mask warrants, suspensions, or prior arrests—or facilitate financial crimes. That’s why RSA 638:1 treats government documents as felony-level when forged, and why RSA 263:12 lists so many specific prohibitions. This isn’t bureaucratic nitpicking; it’s the first line of defense against identity-driven crime. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
Where New Hampshire is ahead—and where it isn’t. The state’s mandated pursuit-policy statute is smart governance; every agency must have a playbook. But transparency can lag: getting public access to complete, current pursuit policies often requires Right-to-Know requests, redactions, and patience. In an era where public risk during chases is statistically undeniable, clearer public-facing policies (and after-action data) would improve trust without compromising tactics. (Justia Law)
What we still don’t know
- Exact makes/states of the seized licenses and how they were produced.
- Whether any IDs link to ongoing fraud cases in other jurisdictions.
- Whether alcohol/drugs were a factor (none alleged in the release).
- Potential federal interest (e.g., if documents implicate federal ID-fraud statutes).
We’ll update when court filings, police affidavits, or docket entries become available.
How the public can help
If you witnessed the pursuit or have relevant dash-cam footage from I-95 North in Hampton Falls/Portsmouth between 9:25–9:40 p.m. Monday, contact NHSP Troop A and reference the incident described above. The news release names Trooper Patrick Vetter as point of contact.
References (selected)
- Statutes:
- RSA 638:1 (Forgery) — text and structure of forgery offenses, including felony grades for government instruments. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
- RSA 263:12 (Driver’s license prohibitions) — misdemeanor prohibitions for false/fraudulent licenses. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
- RSA 642:2 (Resisting arrest/detention) — elements and grading. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
- RSA 631:3 (Reckless conduct) — elements; felony only with a deadly weapon. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
- RSA 265:79 (Reckless driving) — violation-level offense with mandatory penalties. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
- RSA 265:8-a (Police pursuit & emergency response policies) — statewide mandate for written policies. (Justia Law)
- RSA 597 (Bail; preventive detention framework) — release standards and timing; court references on arraignment/probable cause. (New Hampshire Governor’s Council)
- Court system context:
- Circuit Court – District Division (role & jurisdictions); Rockingham County district divisions including Portsmouth. (New Hampshire Judicial Branch)
- Pursuit policy & risk:
- PERF recommendations & reporting; NHTSA data references; coverage of record-high 2022 deaths; state reforms (Hawaii). (AP News)
- Tire-deflation device safety/training; USDSA briefing. (Police Magazine)
- Identity theft & driver’s license security:
- FTC and DOJ recovery guidance. (Federal Trade Commission)
- NH DMV license redesign security features; Keesing document security analysis. (dmv.nh.gov)
- Geography:
- I-95 (NH) overview; Exit 3 access notes. (Wikipedia)
Methodology and sourcing notes
- Incident facts in this story are drawn from an NH State Police news release shared on the agency’s official social channels and provided to Granite State Report via screenshot at the time of publication. We corroborated legal definitions and procedures using New Hampshire RSAs and Judicial Branch resources cited above.
- Policy and risk context relies on federal datasets (NHTSA), peer-reviewed research, and national best-practice organizations (PERF). Where precise counts vary across years and datasets, we cite the origin and scope of each figure.
Bottom line
The Seacoast pursuit underscores the twin hazards New Hampshire troopers navigate at highway speeds: immediate roadway danger and document-driven deception. If prosecutors prove that multiple forged IDs were in play, this case won’t just be about speeding and failing to stop—it will be about identity-based criminal tools moving across state lines. New Hampshire’s legal architecture—felony-level forgery, misdemeanor license prohibitions, written pursuit-policy mandates, and preventive detention in risky cases—exists for scenarios exactly like this one. The harder question, as always, is how to consistently balance catching a fleeing suspect against the non-negotiable priority of saving lives on the roadway. The deployment that ended this chase near Exit 3 suggests the calculus favored a controlled stop before the risks multiplied.
