Budget Hotel In Hampton Beach

Police search for Hampton robbery suspects

HAMPTON — Police are searching for four suspects in connection with an armed robbery they say occurred early Monday morning at the Moulton Hotel, where four men entered a room and “pistol-whipped” and robbed three guests, according to authorities.

Officers were called to the hotel, located at 245 Ocean Blvd., at Hampton Beach after receiving a report of an armed robbery shortly after 8 a.m., according to Hampton Police Lt. Dan Gidley.

Responding officers arrived and learned the suspects had already fled the area.

Officers learned from reports four men, possibly Hispanic, entered a room at the hotel and “pistol-whipped” two individuals, Gidley said.

A third individual walked in during the robbery and was also assaulted, he added.

“They were hit in the head with a pistol,” Gidley said, noting all three victims received head wounds and were taken to Exeter Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The four suspects reportedly stole money, jewelry, a cell phone and possibly a handgun before fleeing the hotel room, Gidley said.

Police issued an all-points bulletin to be on the lookout for a black Nissan Altima, possibly with Mass. plates, that may be the suspects' getaway car.

But Gidley said authorities are still not sure whether the vehicle was involved.

Police radio communications described two of the suspects as Hispanic males. One suspect was described as about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds with long, curly black hair, and wearing a hooded sweatshirt; the other suspect was described as heavy-set, and wearing a knit cap.

Police radio communications also reported the four suspects may have ties to the Methuen, Mass. area.

“We are not sure about that but it is a lead we are following up on,” Gidley said.

Authorities believe the suspects are known to the victims and may have also been staying at the hotel, Gidley said.

Any witnesses to this event are urged to contact the Hampton Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division or to leave information at the Crimeline for the Hamptons at 603-929-1222, or to send email to hamptonscrimeline@yahoo.com .

'Phase Shifter' top sand sculpture at Hampton Beach ...

HAMPTON — Marc Lepire took home top honors at this year's Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition and a first-class ticket to compete in the World Championship of Sand Sculpting in November in Fort Myers, Fla.

Lepire's "Phase Shifter" was selected by judges Saturday night over 10 other sculptures, including one created by last year's winner, Justin Gordon, of Groveland Mass. Lepire received a $3,000 cash prize and was also given the Sculptors Choice Award, voted on by his fellow competitors.

Winners are of the Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Competition are:

First: Marc Lepire of Quebec, "Phase Shifter

Second: Karen Fralich of Ontario, "There Was an Old Woman Who Sends Her Kids to Summer Camp"

Third: Justin Gordon of Groveland, Mass., "And the Ride Among Us"

Fourth: Guy-Olivier Deveau of Quebec, "Morphobia"

Fifth: Carl D. Jara of Lyndhurst, Ohio, "Lamb"

Peoples Choice: Michel Lepire of Quebec, "Prestine Nature"

Sculptors Choice: Marc Lepire, "Phase Shifter"

The competition, sponsored by the Hampton Beach Village Precinct, began Thursday and concluded Saturday afternoon. Not only was there a $15,000 purse on the line but it's one of only four qualifiers in the United States for the World Championship. The competition featured master sand artists from the United States, Canada and the Netherlands. Each sculptor was given 10 tons of sand for their creation and had 21 hours over three days to complete it. The judges chose first- through fifth-place winners based on artistic merit, technical difficulty, design and overall "wow factor."

Despite overcast skies Saturday, thousands came to watch the artists. Others stood in line to get free tickets that would give them access to the sculptures and a chance to vote for their favorites. This year's People's Choice Award went to Michel Lepire of Quebec for his "Prestine Nature."

"It was hard to choose just one," said Meghan Murphy, of Revere, Mass. "They are all so good but I'm leaning towards the (sculpture of the) woman in the shoe. It made me laugh."

Karen Fralich's "There Was an Old Woman Who Sends Her Kids to Summer Camp" came in second, earning her $2,500.

Hampton and Hampton Beach

Hampton and Hampton Beach

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