Man wanted after dragging New Bedford police officer in fleeing stolen vehicle

NEW BEDFORD – A New Bedford police officer was dragged by a stolen motor vehicle he had just stopped in the city’s south end.

On October 6th, at around 1:30 PM, Ofc. James Marinelli spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen while traveling on Route 18 South. He conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle near the Conway St. intersection. He approached the operator who was later identified as Mrs. KENDRA BLACKLER, 38. Seated beside KENDRA, was her husband, Mr. TODD BLACKLER, 50.

SUSAN exited the vehicle to speak with Ofc. Marinelli on the nearby sidewalk when he suddenly observed TODD moving into the driver’s seat. Ofc. Marinelli quickly returned to the driver’s side door to secure him. A brief struggle ensued during which TODD shifted into drive and accelerated forward, causing Ofc. Marinelli to be dragged alongside the vehicle for an estimated 90 feet. The vehicle then successfully fled the scene. It was later discovered, abandoned in a nearby south-end neighborhood.

Fortunately, Ofc. Marinelli received only minor injuries for which he was treated shortly thereafter. KENDRA had tried to flee the scene on foot but was taken into custody a short distance away from the scene of the stop. She is charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and failing to stop for police. TODD was found to have active warrants for his arrest but remains at large at this time.

If you have any information concerning the location of TODD BLACKLER, the NBPD wants to hear from you. Anonymous information can be provided at 508-99-CRIME or our website, www.newbedfordpd.com.