Somerset Police charge five, four from Fall River, after alleged theft of scrap metal

Several local residents have been charged after a reported theft.

According to police, on Wednesday, the Somerset Police Department received a report from a local business regarding a suspicious truck parked behind their building. Upon arrival, officers determined that the vehicle matched one previously involved in a breaking and entering at the former Montaup Power Plant.

Believing that individuals were likely inside the abandoned power plant stealing scrap metal, Detective James Cardella remained in the area to conduct surveillance. A short time later, a male was observed attempting to enter the truck and was subsequently confronted by Detective Cardella, Patrol Officer Joseph Bois and Patrol Officer Christopher Phenix.

During the investigation, the individual was identified as William Peckham, age 57, of Fall River, Massachusetts. It was determined that Peckham had three active arrest warrants. He was taken into custody and transported to the Somerset Police Station for booking before being transferred to the Fall River Justice Center.

While Peckham was being processed, two additional individuals, identified as Lindsey Almond, age 39, and Infinity Ferland, age 29, both of Fall River, attempted to enter the same vehicle. They were detained by Officer Haley Mongeon, and the subsequent investigation led to their arrests.

At approximately 3:55 p.m., Detective Donald Cormier, while traveling northbound on Riverside Avenue, observed another male placing bags of scrap metal, believed to have been taken from the Montaup Power Plant, into a truck. That individual was identified as Jesus Allendepinet, age 43, of Fall River. He was also placed under arrest after it was determined that he had two active warrants.

It should be noted that the Somerset Police Department previously arrested Allendepinet in 2024 following a brief foot pursuit after he and two other individuals were observed stealing copper from the Montaup Power Plant property.

As a result of this investigation, all four individuals are facing additional criminal charges related to the theft of scrap metal from the former Montaup Power Plant. A fifth individual will also be charged in connection with this incident.

According to court records, Almond pled not guilty at arraignment and was released on personal recognizance with a pretrial hearing scheduled for May 21st.

Allendepinet pled not guilty and was being held on $5,000 cash bail with a pretrial hearing scheduled for May 12th.

Peckham and Ferland have not yet been arraigned.

Chief Tedford stated, “This investigation highlights professional, effective teamwork and the continuing commitment of our officers and detectives in protecting private property and holding repeat offenders accountable. Their proactive coordination led to multiple arrests and the disruption of ongoing criminal activity at the Montaup Power Plant site. I’m proud to be a small part of this SPD team”