By Pat Grossmith
Union Leader
LACONIA, N.H. — A local woman, obsessed with a police officer, tried to burn down his home while he and his family were asleep inside, according to police.
The officer, who police declined to identify, had a restraining order against the accused, Patricia M. Halsey-Carter, 41, of 33 Avery St., Apt. C, after she stalked him for several months, according to Capt. William Clary.
Clary said the officer previously arrested Halsey-Carter and had taken complaints from her. However, Clary said the officer had no personal relationship with her. He characterized the case as one of obsession on the part of Halsey-Carter.
The arson was committed, Clary said, after supervising officers repeatedly told Halsey-Carter to stop contacting the officer, stop trying to see him and to stop calling him.
The officer, his fiancee and two children were asleep inside the Lyford Street home on Sept. 5 when the blaze was set in a garbage can near the home’s attached garage.
The blaze burned itself out but damaged the garbage can and garage. The officer discovered a still smoldering fire in the morning and called the station.
Clary said evidence police collected at the scene led to Halsey-Carter but he declined to say what that was. He said it took investigators 1 1/2 weeks to develop enough evidence to obtain warrants.
Affidavits in the case were sealed in Laconia District Court, however, because Clary said the investigation is ongoing and officers need to review all the evidence gathered.
Copyright 2009 Union Leader