New Bedford Police Arrest Repeat Offender for Drugs and Car Chase

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man was arrested last Sunday for possessing drugs and attempting to flee from police.

According to the New Bedford Police Department, at approximately 7 p.m. on Aug. 27, Officer Jonathan Miranda was patrolling the West End of the city when he found a vehicle with an expired license plate that didn't match its make and model that was traveling in the area of the intersection of Rounds Street and Maple Street.

Miranda attempted to stop the vehicle, which then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed.

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Police said the suspect drove the vehicle throughout the West End before stopping in the rear parking lot of St. Luke’s Hospital.

The suspect then allegedly exited his vehicle and ran towards the hospital, attempting to open a door which he found to be locked.

According to police, the victim was unable to gain entrance and then fled on foot towards Allen Street.

Officers then established a perimeter and began to search yards for the suspect.

Sgt. Trevor Sylvia and Officer Tim DaCosta were able to locate and arrest the suspect, who was identified as Brighton Kirk Hernandez, 21, of New Bedford.

According to police, Hernandez was hiding beneath the porch of an address on Clover Street and had $599 in cash that was seized.

A search of Hernandez’s vehicle led to the discovery of three baggies of fentanyl and one baggie of crack cocaine, according to police.

Additionally, Hernandez was found to be on state parole and has past convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault, and battery on a police officer, possession with intent to distribute Class B drugs and possession of fentanyl.

According to police, Hernandez now faces charges of possession with intent to distribute Class A and Class B drugs, failing to stop, reckless operation, illegally attaching plates and operating an unregistered uninsured vehicle.