Dartmouth police arrest man, woman in stolen vehicle

Apr 2, 2023

DARTMOUTH — Dartmouth Police arrested a Fall River woman and a Dorchester man on theft and drug charges after they were found Thursday, March 30 in a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of Walgreens on Route 6, police said.

At about 6:10 p.m, Dartmouth detectives conducted a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles check on a Honda Pilot, which they determined was stolen out of Dorchester.

When the vehicle turned into the Walgreens and parked, Detectives Derek Sousa and Matthew Correia saw the two occupants of the vehicle enter the store.

They were identified as Melvin Ward, 48, of Nelson Street, Dorchester, and Jessica Fernandes, 34, of Fourth Street, Fall River.

During the subsequent investigation, suspected fentanyl was found on both individuals, police reported, and stolen property from Walgreens was also found on Ward.

Ward was subsequently charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a Class A drug (suspected fentanyl), subsequent offense for possession of a Class A drug (suspected fentanyl), shoplifting (second offense), unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and four outstanding warrants. 

Fernandes was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a Class A drug (suspected fentanyl), and one outstanding warrant.