Mattapoisett Police Chase, Catch Two in Motorcycle Theft
MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett police caught two suspects in a motorcycle theft Monday night following a lengthy car and foot chase that ended in Fairhaven.
Donnie Moniz, 18, of New Bedford and Rory Santos-Barrows Jr., 22, of East Freetown were arrested and charged with receiving stolen property after police chased them down in a U-Haul that allegedly contained a motorcycle reported as stolen.
Santos-Barrows Jr., who was allegedly driving the truck, was also charged with multiple motor vehicle violations.
At around 9:48 p.m. Monday, Wareham police put out a call alerting local law enforcement that they were looking for a U-Haul truck thought to be involved in the theft of a motorcycle.
Mattapoisett police said one of their officers saw the truck leave I-195 westbound heading south on North Street.
The pursuit began after the officer attempted to stop the U-Haul with lights and sirens.
When the truck started heading west on Route 6 towards Fairhaven, officers notified Fairhaven police.
One Fairhaven officer deployed stop sticks, deflating all four tires on the U-Haul, according to police.
The truck eventually stopped in the parking lot of 4 David Drown Blvd., at which point police said the driver and a passenger both fled on foot.
They were both arrested after a short chase.
Police recovered a motorcycle valued at around $17,000 and later returned it to its owner.
According to the Mattapoisett Police Department, communities across the region have seen a "drastic" increase in the theft of high-end motorcycles.