New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Friday, August 11, 2017, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Dartmouth Police detail officer, Sergeant Peter Canuel observed a 2005 Mercedes used in an earlier house break in Tiverton, RI traveling on Hixville Road.
During the house break, the male suspect attempted to run over a Tiverton officer while fleeing the scene.
As the male operator matched that of the Tiverton suspect, Sergeant Canuel called the information in and followed the suspect vehicle in his personal vehicle until marked Dartmouth units arrived. Upon marked units engaging the suspect, he attempted to strike a Dartmouth cruiser, and once again fled in an effort to elude the police.
A short time later, Sergeant Joseph Rapoza located the suspects vehicle abandoned on the Highland Avenue railroad tracks.
The male suspect was subsequently located by the Massachusetts State Police air wing, and taken into custody without incident by Sergeant Rapoza and Officer Keith Decosta.
The suspect was subsequently identified as:
Michael Joseph Couto, 49, of Mattapoisett was charged with one (1) WMS warrant for B/E for a felony, and Larceny Over. In addition to the warrant, he was also charged with Assault w/ a Dangerous Weapon to wit a Motor Vehicle, Fail to Stop, Speeding, Negligent Operation, and Marked Lanes Violation.
