A Late-Night Crash in Acushnet Uncovered a Stolen Car, a Loaded Gun, and a Teen Driver

ACUSHNET (WBSM) — Acushnet Police recently arrested a New Bedford teen for allegedly crashing a stolen vehicle and illegally possessing a firearm.

According to a police Facebook post, officers received a report at about 1:05 a.m. on July 20 of a male running through residential yards on Slocum Street. “The report came amid an ongoing investigation into a series of recent motor vehicle break-ins that have affected the center of Acushnet,” police said.

Officers searched the area but found nobody acting suspiciously. Officer Colin Matton remained in the area monitoring traffic near Slocum Street and South Main Street.

Midnight Collision at Slocum and South Main

Officer Matton then heard a crash at about 1:46 a.m. and responded to the intersection of South Main Street and Slocum Street, where two vehicles had collided. Police said a silver Hyundai sedan traveling east on Slocum failed to stop at a stop sign before colliding with a vehicle traveling south on South Main.

Masked Suspects Flee, Victims Hospitalized

Matton then reportedly saw three people dressed in black clothing and wearing face masks exit the Hyundai and flee the scene on foot. The occupants of the second vehicle had to be transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for evaluation.

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Perimeter Search Yields Stolen Gun and Arrest

Acushnet Police, Fairhaven Police and other local agencies then established a perimeter around the area. During the investigation, officers encountered Aaron Nunez, 18, of New Bedford, who they say matched the description of one of the individuals seen fleeing the crash.

“Nunez told officers he had stopped running while heading toward New Bedford and returned to the scene,” police said. “During the perimeter search, officers recovered a bag containing a loaded stolen firearm. Investigators also determined that the Hyundai involved in the crash had been reported stolen from New Bedford.”

Nunez was identified as the alleged driver of the stolen Hyundai at the time of the crash, and the person allegedly in possession of the stolen firearm. He was arrested on multiple motor vehicle and firearms-related charges. Police said that “additional charges against other involved individuals are anticipated as the investigation continues.”