Stolen Car Leads To Braintree Police Chase, Brief High School Lockdown

BRAINTREE, MA — A stolen car led to a Braintree police chase, and briefly put the local high school into a lockdown on Thursday.

Braintree Police Officers noticed a stolen motor vehicle wanted in connection with a carjacking in another community around 1 p.m. on Thursday, officials said.

When officers saw the car it was currently being driven as part of a funeral procession.

Rather than attempt to stop the vehicle, the officers monitored the vehicle and asked for other units’ assistance, officials said. Additional officers and plainclothes detectives responded.

"To lessen the danger to bystanders and the public at large, a plan was developed to stop the vehicle after the services at Blue Hill Cemetery," officials said.

"When detectives and patrol officers attempted to stop the vehicle inside of the cemetery, the operator fled."

Officers were stationed at the exits of the cemetery, prompting the driver of the car to drive over the lawn, landscaping and bushes to try to access West Street, officials said.

Instead, the car hit a large boulder behind a bush, went airborne, and crashed onto West Street, police said.

"Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved and there were no injuries," they added.

The five occupants fled and, after foot pursuits and searches, all were eventually taken into custody without further incident.

During the search, Braintree High School was briefly placed into a shelter-in-place.

• The operator, a juvenile, was arrested and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, unlicensed operation, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and malicious damage over $1200
• Melanie Lopes, 21, of Brockton, was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
• Avonte Taylor, 21, of Dorchester, was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle
• Giovannie Cordova, 20, of Boston, was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle. Another juvenile was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle