Concord, New Hampshire – A robbery investigation in Concord ended quickly Thursday morning after the city’s newly launched K-9 unit successfully tracked down a suspect hiding beneath a bridge. Police say the arrest marks the first case credited to K-9 Charlie since the unit became operational.
Incident Overview
The incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday when Concord police were dispatched to the Speedway convenience store on Hall Street following reports of a robbery. Authorities say a man entered the store, stole merchandise, and assaulted a store clerk before fleeing the scene on foot.
Police later identified the suspect as Blake Clarke Erickson, 47, who was allegedly known to the clerk from prior encounters. Officers immediately began searching the surrounding area as the suspect was believed to still be nearby.
Timeline of Events
According to police radio traffic and official statements, patrol officers first canvassed locations Erickson had previously been associated with. These included the CVS on Hall Street, Sanel’s station off Gas Street, and areas near Water Street, where a large homeless encampment had existed in the past.
As the search expanded, Concord Police deployed their newly established K-9 unit to assist with tracking. K-9 Charlie and the dog’s handler were brought in to search wooded and hard-to-reach areas near the store and surrounding roadways.
Details From Police
The K-9 team ultimately made the breakthrough under a nearby bridge, where the suspect attempted to conceal himself.
“K-9 Charlie ultimately located the suspect behind a jersey barrier under a nearby bridge,” said Lt. Thomas Yerkes of the Concord Police Department. “It is of note that this arrest of Blake Erickson is the first arrest accredited to Concord Police Department K-9 Charlie.”
Police took Erickson into custody without further incident. No serious injuries were reported during the arrest.
Charges Filed
Following his arrest, Blake Clarke Erickson was charged with multiple offenses, including:
- Felony robbery
- Theft
- Simple assault
Authorities confirmed that the charges stem from both the alleged theft of merchandise and the reported physical assault of the store clerk during the incident.
Suspect’s Criminal Background
According to publicly available court records and social media posts referenced in reporting from the Concord NH Facebook feed, Erickson has a lengthy criminal history dating back more than a decade. He has reportedly been arrested approximately a dozen times on various charges.
Past arrests include felony drug possession, theft, criminal trespass, operating without a valid license, and outstanding warrants. Court records also show Erickson was charged with second-degree assault in September 2014.
One assault count was dismissed in August 2015, while another was dismissed in November 2015 following two competency hearings. In April 2015, court filings noted Erickson was found to be “not presently competent to stand trial but may be restorable.” Prosecutors initially sought restorability but later moved to close the case. As recently as April 2025, a request was filed for documents related to that earlier criminal case.
Additional Context: Role of K-9 Units
Police K-9 units play a critical role in modern law enforcement, particularly in tracking suspects who flee on foot or attempt to hide in difficult terrain. Trained dogs can follow scent trails, locate concealed individuals, and reduce risks to officers and the public.
Concord’s K-9 program is relatively new, and officials say Thursday’s arrest highlights the value of investing in specialized police resources. The successful deployment of K-9 Charlie may lead to broader use of the unit in future searches and apprehensions across the city.
Conclusion
The swift arrest of Blake Clarke Erickson underscores how coordinated patrol work and K-9 support can quickly resolve dangerous situations. Police credit the new K-9 unit with preventing the suspect from evading capture and bringing the case to a safe conclusion.
Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Concord Police Department. Share your experiences in the comments below.
