Police Arrest 14 In New Bedford Crime Sweep
Release from New Bedford Police:
New Bedford Police made 14 arrests Wednesday, including the apprehension of a suspect with a long criminal history that includes pending warrants for home invasion and assault to kill.
The arrests were made in collaboration with Massachusetts State Police and federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The agencies were targeting street-level drug activity and warrants as part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal activity in the city.
As part of their effort, narcotics detectives attempted to stop Michael Viruet, 40, 672 Tucker St. Apt. 2, Fall River, who was known to have multiple warrants. As detectives attempted to stop his vehicle in the vicinity of 56 Potomska St., he fled at a high rate of speed, lost control of his vehicle and landed in a ditch.
Once he was taken into custody, police seized 10 grams of Fentanyl and more than $3,000 in cash.
He was charged with possession of Fentanyl with intent to distribute, failure to stop for a police officer, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, resisting arrest, possession of Fentanyl with intent to distribute within Gomes School zone, destruction of property valued at over $250 and on warrants.
Viruet has a long criminal history, including 20 prior convictions. He has four convictions for armed robbery, two for possession of a firearm, three for breaking and entering, one for assault with a dangerous weapon, one for assault to kill and one for armed assault to rob.
He is on probation in Superior Court until 2020 and has pending warrants for home invasion and assault to kill.
Also arrested were:
Terance Russell, 28, 101 Cleveland St., New Bedford, warrant.
Dakota Whoriskey, 21, 29 Lambeth St., New Bedford, warrant.
Joel Morales, 23, 113 Rounds St., New Bedford, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Sheena Andrade, 35, 777 County St. Apt. 1, New Bedford, possession of cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Christina Tingley, 30, 17 Crapo St. Apt. A, New Bedford, possession of Fentanyl, conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Olando Perez, 51, 126 Crapo St. Apt. 3, New Bedford, distribution of Fentanyl, possession of Fentanyl with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
Randall S. Harding, 53, 9 Mason Road, East Freetown, warrant.
William A. Perez, 30, 14 Adams St. Apt. 1b, New Bedford, possession of crack cocaine, warrant.
Lisa McGonagle, 22, 383 N. Front St. Apt. 3S, New Bedford, warrant.
Tito J. Morales, 45, 137 Willis St., New Bedford, warrant.
Joao Santos, 40, homeless, warrant.
Gregory Teixeira, 52, 287 Sawyer St. Apt. 2W, New Bedford, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, illegally attaching plates, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, driving an unregistered motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.
Ryan Arthur Veenstra, 34, 119 Tallman St., New Bedford, disorderly conduct, illegally carrying weapons.