RUMFORD — Two convicted felons were apprehended Wednesday after stealing a car and intentionally crashing into another vehicle, endangering residents in a populated neighborhood.
The incident occurred around 8:06 a.m. near the intersection of Erchless Street and Hancock Street when Luis Alberto Rivera, Jr., 40, and Troy James Blanchard, 35, stole a 2013 Chrysler 200 from Strathglass Park.
The vehicle’s owner’s family member, who witnessed the theft, followed Rivera and Blanchard in a minivan.
Rivera then deliberately crashed the stolen Chrysler into the family member’s minivan, causing non-life-threatening injuries to the victim.
After the collision, the suspects fled on foot but were located by police at 33 Falmouth Street, a few blocks away.
Rivera, out on bail for Felony Possession of Fentanyl, and Blanchard, a fugitive wanted on previous charges, were arrested without further incident.
The crash site’s proximity to a daycare and elementary school during peak hours heightened the risk to the public, particularly children.
Rivera faces multiple charges, including Felony Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Violation of Conditions of Release.
Blanchard also faces Felony Theft among other charges, along with arrest warrants for prior offenses.
Police Chief Tony Milligan has requested the court deny bail, citing the pair’s violent history and disregard for the law.
Both Rivera and Blanchard are scheduled for arraignment on Friday at the Oxford County Unified Criminal Docket Court.