BELLINGHAM — Two Rhode Island men face multiple charges after a shoplifting incident escalated into a police pursuit and crash Thursday afternoon.
At 3:11 p.m., Bellingham police received a 911 call reporting a shoplifting at a local retailer involving two males who fled in a vehicle with a female passenger.
Responding officers spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.
During the stop, the male passenger, later identified as Jonavin Camacho, 23, of Woonsocket, R.I., allegedly shoved the driver aside and sped off.
The female passenger jumped out before the vehicle fled.
Police arrested the original driver, Yadriel Rodrigues, 22, also of Woonsocket, at the scene.
Officers pursued the fleeing vehicle south on South Main Street but quickly terminated the chase due to heavy traffic and high speeds.
The suspect vehicle later crashed, disabling it.
Camacho attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended after police set up a perimeter.
The driver of the vehicle struck by Camacho was transported to a local hospital with apparent minor injuries.
Both Camacho and Rodrigues face numerous charges, according to Bellingham Police Lt. Stephen Daigle.
No further details were immediately available.
