NEW BEDFORD, MA — Two juveniles were arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to steal a Kia and fleeing from police.
Officers responded to the area of Arnold Street just before 9 p.m. for a report of two juveniles attempting to steal a white Kia after smashing a window and damaging the steering column.
The suspects fled the area on foot toward Union and Jonathan Streets before officers arrived.
While searching the neighborhood, Officer Mason Almeida observed two individuals matching the suspects’ descriptions near Jonathan Street.
When the juveniles saw Officer Almeida’s cruiser, they fled toward Court Street and were later located emerging from a yard near Court and Reed Streets.
Officer Almeida exited his cruiser and issued verbal commands for both individuals to stop.
During the encounter, one of the juveniles was observed repeatedly reaching toward his waistband.
Officer Almeida drew his department-issued taser and detained both individuals until additional units arrived on scene.
With the assistance of responding officers, both juveniles were safely taken into custody.
During a pat frisk, officers recovered a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson SD9 handgun with four rounds of ammunition concealed in the juvenile’s waistband.
Officers also recovered a screwdriver believed to have been used in the attempted vehicle theft.
Both juveniles were charged with malicious damage to a motor vehicle, possession of a burglarious instrument, and breaking and entering into a vehicle in the nighttime.
One juvenile was additionally charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.
They were both transported to the Brockton Detention Center.
