Easton Police Engage in Two Motor Vehicle Pursuits Over Weekend

made two arrests in the span of 11 hours Friday evening and Saturday morning after they were forced to pursue two suspects in two separate instances.

"We usually only have about 3 pursuits in a year," Police Chief said in an email message. "[It's] unusual to have two in the same day."

Franklin W. Harbester, 40, of 908 W. Washington St., Hanson was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, assault/battery on a police officer with a  dangerous weapon, operating recklessly, operating on a suspended driver’s license, possession of class B (cocaine), and failure to stop for a police officer, Krajcik said.

Additionally, Shawn P. Carvalho, age 31, of 18 Ray Ave Brockton was arrested early Saturday morning.  He is being charged with receiving stolen property, operating on a suspended license, failure to stop for a police officer, operating recklessly, and failure to stay in marked lanes, Krajcik said.

Harbester was arrested after police received a call at approximately 3:40 p.m. A motorist who was traveling westbound near 559 Foundry Street reported that a green dodge pickup truck, which Harbester operated, was traveling east and came across the double yellow lines. He sideswiped the caller's vehicle causing his mirror to shatter and cutting him with broken glass. Hearbester's vehicle then drove wrecklessley towards Five Corners, Krajcik said.

Officer Robert Tuohy saw the truck on Belmont St near and tried to stop it. The truck took off at a high rate of speed going into Brockton, then into West Bridgewater.  At one point during the pursuit Harbester deliberately rammed his truck into the side of the Easton cruiser, according to Krajcik.

He then drove down a driveway at 219 Walnut St in West Bridgewater (Vareika Construction) and fled on foot. Brockton Police and West Bridgewater Police assisted with Harbester's pursuit and capture.

Carvalho was arrested approximately 11 hours later, at 2:30 a.m. when Officer Sean Lynch ran the license plate of a Chrystler Sebring while he was parked at the corner of Belmont Street and Washington Street to find that it had been stolen in Mansfield, Krajcik said.  

Lynch pursued the vehicle, which Carvalho was operating, trying to stop it, until it went down a dead end street in Brockton, according to Krajcik

After Carvalho fled on foot, he was found hiding in bushes by Lynch, Brockton Police, and a state police k-9. 

Both suspects were being arraigned in Taunton District Court Monday, Krajcik said.