Fall River Police have charged a local man after an investigation into illegal dumping.
According to police, on July 30th, Officer William Medeiros of the Environmental Police Unit responded to Ace Street, where 18 tires had been illegally dumped along the roadway and on a vacant lot.
One tire had a distinctive sticker and tread pattern matching tires previously seen in the bed of a Ford F-150.
By combining traditional investigative work including private surveillance footage and witness statements coupled with FLOCK camera evidence, investigators tracked the same truck carrying the tires for eight days, along with being recorded in the area of the incident just before the evening they were reportedly dumped.
After initially denying any involvement, 63-year-old John Bettencourt, the vehicle’s alleged operator, blamed a friend. He ultimately acknowledged that the tires belonged to him and will be summonsed to court on an illegal-dumping charge.
The City will also seek restitution for the cleanup and disposal costs.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
