Vehicle breaker arrested by New Bedford Police patrol officer

A New Bedford Police patrolman has arrested a vehicle breaker.

On November 29, Ofc. Manuel Sequeira responded to a car break in the area of Milford St. and Wood St. The suspect had shattered a window of the vehicle and stolen a bank card. It was then determined that the card had been used at two local pharmacies following the break.

Ofc. Sequeira made his way to the businesses in order to locate any available camera footage of the suspect. After viewing video, Ofc. Sequeira was able to disseminate the suspect’s description via radio and continued to patrol his sector, remaining mindful to be on the lookout.

Shortly thereafter, Ofc. Sequeira located the suspect exiting another local business on Acushnet Ave. He approached and stopped the male who was then identified as Mr. BRANDON PIERCE, 31, of 84 Fruit St. PIERCE was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. While being taken into custody, Ofc. Sequeira located the initial victim’s bank card in PIERCE’s possession.

PIERCE was charged with breaking into a vehicle in order to commit a felony, receiving stolen property, as well as possession of, and use of a stolen credit card. Detectives had requested a warrant be issued for PIERCE regarding a case in October during which a check, which had been stolen from a motor vehicle, was forged, and uttered at a bank. PIERCE has previous convictions in New Bedford district court for a variety of charges including possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, B&E at night with intent to commit a felony, larceny from a building, larceny by false pretenses, receiving stolen property and credit card misuse. Following yesterday’s arraignment, he is being held at the house of correction.

This is an excellent example of how an alert patrol officer, committed to seeing a case through, was able to retrieve stolen property and bring a wanted, repeat offender into custody.

If you have any information on criminal activity in your neighborhood, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1.