New Bedford Police Arrest Wanted Man

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A wanted New Bedford man with a long criminal history was arrested as police also took a gun and drugs off the street.

According to New Bedford Police, Detectives Jonathan Miranda and Jacob Rebello were searching on December 14 for Jesse Soares, 41, of 16D Bayberry. Police said he had seven active warrants for his arrest and had led police on a vehicle chase in November, during which he avoided capture.

The detectives located him around noon in his vehicle outside of his home and were able to place him in custody.

Police said that an ensuing search found that Soares was allegedly in possession of a plastic baggie containing crack cocaine, digital scales and several rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Detectives then executed a search warrant at his residents and allegedly discovered over 650 grams of cocaine, 88 grams of fentanyl and a Canik TP9SF handgun with a defaced serial number.

According to police, Soares also had two high-capacity magazines and over 80 rounds of ammunition. Police also seized $5,534 in cash.

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Police said that Soares “has a history of serious offenses, including an armed robbery in 2003 for which he was sentenced to five years in state prison, as well as another armed robbery in 2011 and possession of a sawed-off shotgun, for which he was sentenced to 10 years.”

He is now charged with a number of offenses, including trafficking cocaine over 200 grams, fentanyl trafficking over 36 grams and being a felon in possession of a high-capacity firearm with a defaced serial number.