Press Release
On 4/5/23 at approximately 12:07 am, dispatchers at the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Emergency Communications Center (SEMRECC) notified the Mansfield Police Department of a motor vehicle theft that had just occurred at 60 Robert Drive, Easton, MA, the Avalon Apartment Complex, located just east of the Mansfield Town line. Officer Martell immediately
responded to the area where he observed the stolen vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway at the town line on Eastman Street (Route 106). Officer Martell attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop at which time the driver of the stolen motor vehicle drove away at a high rate of speed. Officer Martell pursued the vehicle but lost sight of it as the operator turned onto East Street from Eastman/Route 106. Officer Martell continued to monitor the area, when, a short time later, he located the vehicle again on Mill Street heading toward Norton, MA. Officer Martell attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle which turned around and headed back toward Mansfield on Mill Street. Sgt Schepis, responding to the area with Officer Martell, intercepted the vehicle as it passed him at a high rate of speed. Sgt Schepis followed the vehicle onto Essex Street and eventually onto Jonathan Drive, a cul-de-sac residential neighborhood. Having nowhere else to go, the fleeing felon rammed Sgt Schepis’ cruiser while simultaneously stopping briefly enough to allow a passenger to jump from the vehicle and run into the wooded area at the end of the cul-de-sac. The operator of the stolen car drove off while officers diverted their attention to the individual in the woods next to residential homes and discontinued the chase. The remainder of the midnight shift was directed to search the area for the stolen car. At approximately 12:37 am, the male who fled into the woods was captured and placed into custody. That male was identified as a 14-year-old Brockton resident. At 1:30 am, Officer Sorge was searching the downtown area when he came upon the stolen vehicle in the parking lot of Cumberland Farms at 30 Chauncy Street. Officer Sorge attempted to conduct a felony stop on the stolen vehicle at which time the operator sped away. Officers gave pursuit losing sight of the vehicle as it drove at speeds over 100 mph on Route 106 toward Easton.
At approximately 1:45 am, Easton Police located the stolen vehicle near the apartment complex from where it was originally stolen over an hour prior. The driver again fled the attempts of a felony stop driving toward Mansfield on Eastman Street/Route 106. Sgt Schepis ordered the deployment of a “Stop Stick”, a non-contact intervention tactic that is used to puncture the tires of an automobile causing the tires to slowly deflate while gradually incapacitating the ability to operate at high speeds. Officer Martell, for the second time this month, successfully deployed the tool at the intersection of East and Eastman Streets (across Route 106).
The offending vehicle drove over the strip and began to slow immediately. The vehicle continued at low speeds onto Franklin Street where the operator eventually pulled over and fled into the front yard of 246 Franklin Street. Officers quickly set up a perimeter. Upon arrival of additional help from Easton and Foxboro Police and the Massachusetts State Police, a search of the area began. At approximately 2:27 am, Officer Martell, MSP K9 Handler Trooper Brian Gervais and K9 Ramon found the suspect hiding in the yard of 2 Potash Road. As the suspect was given verbal commands to surrender, officers observed that he was armed with a knife in his hand. Eventually, the suspect released the knife and was taken into custody without further incident.
We are thankful that there were no serious injuries as a result of the reckless and negligent actions on the part of the suspects and their complete disregard for the safety and well-being of the citizens and first responders of these communities. We also thank Sgt Schepis and his midnight team of officers as they brought a very dynamic and dangerous situation lasting nearly two hours, to a safe and successful conclusion for all involved. Lastly, we thank our law enforcement partners from Easton, Foxboro, and Norton Police Departments as well as SEMRECC and the Massachusetts State Police for their quick and professional response.
As a result of the investigation, the 14-year-old juvenile will be arraigned in Taunton Juvenile Court on charges including:
Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle
Conspiracy to Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle
Disorderly Conduct
Due to be arraigned in Attleboro District Court, 19-Year-old Duron Colton of 367 Hillman Street,
New Bedford, MA will be charged with:
Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle
Malicious Destruction to Property Over $1200.00
Reckless Endangerment of a Child
Assault and Batter on a Police Officer
Assault and Battery w/Dangerous Weapon
Assault w/Dangerous Weapon
Resist Arrest
Disorderly Person
Operating with Suspended License
Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Failure to Stop for Police (3 counts)
Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident
Speeding
Marked Lanes Violation
