Ordinary traffic stop turns up wanted felon

During a routine traffic stop, Merrimack police caught a wanted felon who they say had avoided a jail sentence.

Anthony Rizzo, 25, of Hudson, was arrested early Tuesday morning when police stopped his Jeep Liberty on Daniel Webster Highway for a traffic violation, police said. He had a knife in his possession, police said.

He was wanted on three electronic bench warrants from two courts and an escape warrant from Hillsborough County Superior Court for failing to appear for court-ordered confinement, police said. When arrested, Rizzo was carrying a knife and an open container of alcohol in the Jeep, police said.

He faces a felony charge of driving while an habitual offender. He also faces misdemeanor charges of driving with an open container of alcohol and felon in possession of a weapon, police said.

Rizzo was being held without bail on the escape charge and on $27,500 bail for the other charges, police said. He was slated to be arraigned Tuesday.