New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Police responded to reports of a gunshot on Carriage Shop Road in Falmouth. Upon arrival, they found a gray BMW which immediately sped away.
During the pursuit, the driver of the BMW, 32-year old Bryan Purdie, smashed into a car before approaching a school bus beginning to let children out. Ignoring the bus’s sign and flashing lights, he raced through the stop and only ended the chase when he was stuck in a dead-end.
Leaping out of his car, he then fled on foot but was eventually caught by police officers. In the BMW police found a female victim with head injuries.
Investigators said that Purdie broke into the woman’s home and took a shot at her, which missed. He then pistol-whipped her, striking her in the head causing injury. There were 4 other victims inside which he held at gunpoint, confiscating their cell phones so they couldn’t call 911.
The unidentified woman with head injuries made an attempt to escape but Purdie chased after her and forced her at gunpoint into his BMW.
Purdie was charged with home invasion, kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, domestic assault and battery, failing to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident and various other associated motor vehicle offenses.
He was held on $50,000 bail pending his arraignment today.
