Fall River Police Catch Fugitive, Find Illegal Gun

FALL RIVER — Earlier this week, Fall River police arrested a fugitive wanted on several outstanding warrants — and they found an illegal gun in the same house.

Police said that on Monday, the department's major crimes division found out that 25-year-old Brandan Tessier was staying in a Benjamin Street home.

Tessier was wanted on several outstanding arrest warrants for firearms and other offenses, according to police.

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Detectives received a search warrant for the house and went inside to find Tessier hiding in a bedroom.

He was arrested and will be facing dozens of charges including multiple counts of assault and battery with a firearm and other firearms offenses, dealing drugs, vandalism, receiving stolen property, and multiple motor vehicle violations.

During the search, police said they also found a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver and assorted ammunition for multiple firearm calibers.

No one in the home holds a Massachusetts firearms license, according to police.

James Werner, 21, was arrested for possessing a firearm and ammunition without a license.

He also has outstanding arrest warrants for charges relating to assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery with a weapon as well as multiple motor vehicle offenses.

“I would like to recognize the dedication of the Major Crimes Division detectives who have been working to build a criminal case against Brandan Tessier for the past year," said Interim Police Chief Paul Gauvin.

Gauvin went on to commend the detectives for "hundreds of hours of investigation" resulting in serious felony charges that he said "will hopefully lead to a successful prosecution removing a dangerous person from our streets."