MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) - Police arrested a New Hampshire man who was seen driving erratically in a parking lot outside of a vaccine clinic in Manchester on Thursday evening, authorities said.
Officers were in the area of the Currier Art Museum on Ash Street around 5 p.m. as a vaccine clinic got underway, according to Manchester police. Several people were reportedly on the public sidewalk protesting while families waited in line in the roundabout near the entrance of the museum.
Officers saw a Jeep driven by Robert McClory, 37, of Goffstown, driving his Jeep Wrangler in circles in the private parking lot with the vehicle’s floodlights activated, police said.
“There were families out there,” Manchester, New Hampshire police spokesperson Heather Hamel said “It became very concerning that he might hurt somebody.”
Hamel said he was yelling and swearing at them from the open window.
Afraid for their safety, people in the parking lot asked McClory to leave but he allegedly swore at them and continued to speed around the lot.
An officer stopped the Jeep and ordered McClory multiple times to turn off the vehicle and step out but McClory refused, police said.
“He was very uncooperative with the officer. He asked him several times, [McClory] continued to stay inside his vehicle and at that point, he was arrested.”
The officer took him to the ground to get him handcuffed and he is now facing charges of criminal trespass and resisting arrest.
The museum offered people free admission to see the latest exhibits inside but, Director Alan Chow said they did not expect a brush with danger outside.
“We were concerned for people’s safety. I have to say though, the crowds, the people in line, they weren’t discouraged at all. More people showed up and when he was carted away there was a round of applause. You know, people here are tough and resilient.”
McClory declined to be interviewed but in a text message asked, “Do you think it’s OK for children to get vaccine?”
Despite this, about 350 people, including many children, were vaccinated at the clinic.
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