New Bedford Man Apprehended by State Police K9 Unit in Taunton

TAUNTON — A New Bedford man was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Troopers and a K-9 unit in Taunton Wednesday after fleeing and evading arrest earlier in the day.

Massachusetts State Police say shortly before 11:00 p.m. Wednesday night, Trooper patrols and an MSP K9 unit responded to the intersection of Industrial Park Road and Bay Street to assist Norton Police in apprehending a male suspect who had fled.

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Nicholas Slavin, of New Bedford, was wanted by Norton Police on two warrants. He was last seen near a Holiday Inn located in the industrial park.

A witness told Troopers that Slavin had entered a gray or silver sedan. Trooper Cory Melo entered the industrial park and observed a vehicle matching that description.

Trooper Melo and MSP K9 Section Trooper Christopher Thurlow, who had also responded with his K9 partner Devaney, pulled behind the suspected vehicle as it took a right onto Bay Street with Slavin in the passenger seat. As the Troopers stopped the vehicle, a 2004 gray Audi Quattro, Slavin ran from the Audi and into a plaza near a Dunkin Donuts and a 7-Eleven.

By this time, additional State Police patrols were responding to the plaza. Trooper Thurlow issued a warning that he would release his K9 if Slavin continued to flee.

Slavin continued to run and Trooper Thurlow sent K9 Devaney on an apprehension. At the same time, Trooper Nicholas Lorenco and Trooper John Pina rounded the corner of the plaza and assisted Trooper Melo in the pursuit.

Slavin then began to attempt to scale a fence as he looked back at the charging Devaney and converging Troopers before yelling “I give up,” and dropping to the ground behind a dumpster. Trooper Thurlow recalled Devaney as the dog reached the dumpster, and two of the other Troopers took Slavin into custody.

Troopers transported Slavin to the State Police Middleboro barracks, where he was booked on the warrants and an additional charge of resisting arrest. He was denied bail and transported to the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford to be held pending arraignment.