New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
UPDATE: On Thursday, July 19, Jazz Tavares, turned himself into Wareham District Court, stemming from an incident on Monday, involving Officer Charles Pillsbury. He posted $1,000 bail and is due to return to court on August 13.
The following is a press release from the Wareham Police Department:
On Monday, July 16, at about 1050, Wareham police officer Charles Pillsbury was working an off-duty detail on Hathaway Street. While directing traffic he noticed, Jazz Tavares, 29, of New Bedford driving by in a vehicle with a female as a passenger. Officer Pillsbury was aware that Mr. Tavares had a revoked driver’s license. He motioned Mr. Tavares to stop and advised him his license was revoked, at which point Mr. Tavares said, “I can’t believe you are doing this to me while you’re on a detail.” Mr. Tavares then stepped on the gas aggressively, causing Officer Pillsbury to run out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle. Officer Pillsbury radioed a description of the vehicle and last direction of travel.
Minutes later the vehicle was spotted by Department of Natural Resources Director/ Harbormaster Gary Buckminster on Cranberry Highway by New England Farms. Officers pulled the vehicle over, however Mr. Tavares was no longer driving, rather the female that had earlier been the passenger was now driving. This female, Kristina Boucher-Szwedko, 26, of Mattapoisett refused to cooperate with the investigation and was placed under arrest by Officer James White. Ms. Boucher –Szwedko was charged with, accessory after the fact of a felony, interfering with the duties of a police officer, and numerous motor vehicle violations as the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured, with attached license plates. Two small children in the car were removed and given to a family member who arrived on location.
The Wareham Police Department is actively seeking Jazz Tavares, for the charges of
assault with a dangerous weapon, operating to endanger, failure to stop for police, and operating with a suspended driver’s license. Mr. Tavares is well known by the WPD, and was arrested in 2014, with a stolen firearm in his possession. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Jazz Tavares should contact the Wareham Police Department. The photo of Mr. Tavares is his booking photo from the 2014 arrest.
