New Bedford Man Arrested After Hit-and-Run Crash, Shots Fired

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man has been arrested following a shooting in the North End earlier this week.

According to New Bedford Police, patrol units responded to the Earle Street-Ashley Boulevard intersection at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1 regarding a hit-and-run crash involving a man with a gun, with reported shots fired.

“Sgt. Andy Simmons was conducting surveillance in the area at the time and observed one of the vehicles leaving before hearing shots ring out. He kept watch over the vehicle as it sped north on Acushnet Avenue,” police said in a release. “Fortunately, Sgt. Jonathan Lagoa, along with detectives Matthew Sylvia and Emily Pacheco, stopped the vehicle at Acushnet Avenue and Shaw Street.”

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Police removed the driver, Jose Rivera Sanchez, 32, and searched his vehicle. According to police, officers found a loaded Polymer 80 firearm with a 10-round magazine and that Sanchez had no license to carry a firearm.

Police said the bullets matched the brand of shell casings located at the scene of the crash and subsequent shooting.

Sanchez was arrested and charged with a number of offenses including carrying a loaded high-capacity firearm and ammunition without a license, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.

He is currently being held pending a dangerous hearing.