Air Rifle Used by Teens in Drive By Shooting

At 6:18 p.m. Saturday, received a report from a resident of Power Street that a vehicle drove by the residence and fired shots in their direction, striking the house, from what they described as a shotgun. The residents were standing in front of the house at the time. The caller described the vehicle as a lime green pick-up with two young male passengers.

A few minutes later, patrolman Marc Robichaud observed the vehicle traveling north on Freeman Street and informed other officers. After the vehicle turned onto Mansfield Avenue, patrolman Michael McKenney observed the vehicle turn into the parking lot of and travel to the rear of the building. McKenney, Robichaud and detective James Franco stopped and approached the vehicle in the parking lot. 

 Both males were placed under arrest. The operator was identified as Matthew Hamel, 18, of Mansfield Avenue, Norton. The passenger was identified as Lucas Potvin, age 17, of Cross Street, Norton.

Officers discovered an air rifle and a bottle of alcohol in the vehicle.

Both subjects were charged with minor in possession of alcohol, assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. Potvin was additionally charged with discharging an air rifle on a public way.

Lieutenant Todd Jackson said that the incident appeared random, and there was no motive.

 Both subjects were released and will appear in Attleboro District Court for arraignment.