NEW BEDFORD — After a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle on Friday night, New Bedford police arrested a man and seized a firearm while continuing to seek the identity of a second suspect.
Officers responded to a report of a stolen Kia Optima from the city’s south end shortly before midnight on Oct. 12.
Sgt. Andrew Ryder spotted the car around Purchase St. and Weld St. approximately an hour later.
Police units pursued the vehicle until it crashed into a cruiser on Hill St. Two men fled the scene on foot.
The ensuing search led to the apprehension of one suspect, Nasir Valera, 20, of 120 Pleasant St., after Officer Cameron Patota chased him through the parking lot of New Bedford District Court and caught him on N. Sixth St. Valera was found to have discarded a .38 caliber revolver with six rounds of ammunition nearby.
He was taken to police headquarters and charged with larceny of a motor vehicle and carrying a loaded firearm without a license.
Authorities are still investigating to identify the second suspect involved in the incident.
The New Bedford Police Department encourages anyone with information on the second suspect or any other relevant details to contact them anonymously through their website at newbedfordpd.com or by calling 508-99-CRIME.
