Police Log: Multiple Vehicles Lead Police on Chases through Town

At 11:46 p.m. on June 8, Officer David Forte was directed by a citizen to the area of A Street and First Avenue. After traveling to the area, Forte observed two vehicles parked side by side in the same lane, with three or four vehicles behind.

As Forte approached the vehicles, each one sped off in a different direction. The officer then activated the emergency lights and sirens in his cruiser and pursued the vehicles.

One of the vehicles, a red Honda Civic, came to a stop shortly after. The operator of the vehicle stated that he did not realize that the police were attempting to stop him.

According to police reports, the driver was asked if he was meeting up with the other vehicle operators to race, a charge that he denied. Officer Forte cited the man with failing to stop for a police officer, as well as a marked lanes violation. A criminal complaint will be filed for the above charges and an immediate threat for license suspension was filed with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

As Officer Forte was speaking to this man, Officer Catherine Tierney stated over CB radio that she was attempting to stop another motor vehicle traveling "at a high rate of speed, leaving the industrial area." Reports state that the driver was refusing to stop on Kendrick St. and had crossed onto the wrong side of the road, speeding through several stop signs along the way.

The vehicle, operated by Hector Lavandier, was finally stopped by officers on Rte. 128 North. Lavandier was arrested and charged with failure to stop for an officer, speed greater than reasonable, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violations, red light violations and failure to display headlights.

Lavandier's Facebook page publicly lists "street racing" as an interest.

Around the same time, Officer Michael Tetrault located two other vehicles that could have been related to ones on A St. entering the Hess gas station, which was closed at the time. A check of both drivers' licenses revealed two traffic warrants for 36-year-old Sonia Perez. Perez was placed under arrest and booked at the Needham station. Her vehicle was secured in the Hess parking lot.