New Bedford Police Seize Gun, Drugs From Suspect Out on Bail

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police arrested a Fall River man who was out on bail Sunday after they say they seized a firearm and drugs from him.

According to police, detectives were monitoring activity in the city’s West End at around 2 p.m. on April 30 when they observed a vehicle operating erratically in the area of Cottage Street and Hillman Street. They said the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed when detectives attempted to stop it.

“The detectives were then led on a brief chase throughout the West End neighborhood,
during which the vehicle disregarded stop signs and traveled the wrong way on one-way
streets,” police said. “It ultimately collided with another auto in the area of Chancery Street (and) Union Street, causing heavy front-end damage.”

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Detectives arrested the driver of the vehicle that sped off, identified as Hayden Andrade, 20, of Fall River. The driver of the vehicle he struck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Police said a search of Andrade’s vehicle turned up a baggie that contained about 24 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded 9mm Glock handgun and $480 in cash.

“The detectives were familiar with Andrade, as he was the target of a recent search warrant executed on February 5 of this year,” police said. “On that day, he was found in possession of approximately 15 grams of cocaine and packaging materials. He was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and later bailed.”

Police said Andrade now faces a variety of motor vehicle infractions, as well as charges of carrying a loaded firearm without license while committing a felony and trafficking in excess of 18 grams of cocaine.

Andrade is currently being held without bail at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth.