Massachusetts State Troopers arrest armed fugitive in Fall River after struggle

A Trooper from the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and two uniformed Troopers on Wednesday morning captured a fugitive wanted on three separate warrants charging with assault, armed robbery, and other crimes. The fugitive was in possession of a loaded pistol when he was apprehended.

According to Dave Procopio of Massachusetts State Police, shortly after 9 a.m., Trooper Phil Giardino of MSP VFAS was conducting surveillance on Snell Street in Fall River after developing information that Melvin Arias-Brown, 22, was possibly staying at a home there and was probably in possession of a firearm. The Trooper observed a man fitting Arias-Brown’s description and an unknown woman come out of a home on Snell Street and get into the backseat of a Chevrolet Malibu, later determined to be a ride-share vehicle.

Trooper Giardino followed the Malibu as it drove off and requested assistance from MSP Troop D. The Malibu ultimately pulled into a parking lot on Rodman Street, where the woman exited the vehicle and entered a store. Arias-Brown remained in the back seat. Troopers Michael Pacheco and Thomas Norcross arrived on scene, and along with Trooper Giardino approached the Malibu. Upon seeing the Troopers, Arias-Brown jumped out of the driver’s side rear door and was immediately apprehended by Troopers Pacheco and Norcross. After a struggle, Troopers handcuffed Arias-Brown and subsequently located a Ruger SR-40 handgun with 10 in the magazine in his waistband. Troopers also found in Arias-Brown’s possession was a folding knife and 40 Suboxone strips.

Troopers transported Arias-Brown to the State Police-Dartmouth Barracks where he was booked and held until transported to court later in the day. A check of the firearm revealed it had been reported stolen in Avon on April 7.

Arias-Brown was charged with the three outstanding warrants out of Brockton District Court: one for armed and masked robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon; the second for assault and battery on a pregnant victim; and the third for larceny, breaking and entering in the daytime to commit a felony, vandalism, and a motor vehicle offense.

He also was charged with new offenses from Wednesday’s arrest: unlawful possession of a firearm; carrying a dangerous weapon; committing a firearms violation while having committed a prior violent crime/drug crime; receiving stolen property; and possession of a Class B narcotic.