Late-Night Foot Chase in New Bedford Ends with the Arrest of Two Armed Teens

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police seized a loaded firearm and arrested two juveniles after they allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle in the city’s West End Tuesday night.

Attempted Kia Theft Leads to Neighborhood Search

According to a police Facebook post, officers responded to the area of Arnold Street just before 9 p.m. on May 26 for a report of two juveniles attempting to steal a white Kia. The two had allegedly smashed a window and damaged the vehicle’s steering column.

The two juvenile suspects fled the area on foot in the direction of Union Street and Jonathan Street before officers arrived at the scene.

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Police said that while searching the neighborhood, Officer Mason Almeida saw two people matching the suspects’ descriptions near Jonathan Street. When they saw his cruiser, they fled toward Court Street and were later located emerging from a yard near Court Street and Reed Street. Officer Almeida exited his cruiser and ordered them to stop.

Officer Detains Suspects at Taser Point

“During the encounter, one of the juveniles was observed repeatedly reaching toward his waistband,” police said. “Officer Almeida drew his department-issued taser and detained both individuals until additional units arrived on scene.”

The two juveniles were taken into custody and pat-frisked. Officers recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson SD9 9mm handgun with four rounds concealed in one of the juvenile’s waistband. Police also recovered a screwdriver they believe was used in the attempted vehicle theft.

New Bedford Police posted body-worn camera footage of the incident on Facebook:

Serious Felony Charges and Detention

Both juveniles were charged with malicious damage to a motor vehicle, possession of a burglarious instrument, and breaking and entering into a vehicle in the nighttime. The one with the gun was also charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

They were both transported to the Brockton Detention Center.