Police have issued an update after several police agencies combined late last week to get one man in custody, while searching for a female suspect.
According to Somerset Police Chief William Tedford, at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Somerset detectives and patrol officers received a report of potential criminal activity at a Somerset bank.
Upon attempting to stop the suspects’ vehicle, they fled. Somerset units called off the pursuit due to heavy traffic on Wilbur Avenue.
Detective Cardella then proceeded to Fall River where the suspect vehicle drove past his unmarked unit. Once on Route 79, he followed behind the vehicle until neighboring marked police units were in position. Another attempt at a traffic stop, and the suspects again fled.
With traffic more manageable, units from multiple jurisdictions assisted in pursuing the vehicle. The suspects eventually were stopped by Dighton Police units in Dighton.
On Friday Somerset Police arrested 24-year-old Silvio Lopes Mendes stemming from crimes alleged to have been committed in Somerset at the Citizen’s Bank located at 815 G.A.R. Highway.
Mendes is charged with Larceny by Check over $1200, Conspiracy, Uttering a False Check, Failure to Stop for Police, and Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle.
At arraignment in Fall River District Court, he was released on personal recognizance with a pretrial hearing scheduled for November 4th.
At the time of Mendes’ arrest, an accomplice was sought who evaded police just prior to the motor vehicle pursuit. She has now been identified by Somerset Police detectives as 47-year-old Rachel Atmani, with a last known address in Fall River.
Atmani is currently wanted on an active arrest warrant issued by the Fall River District Court in connection with charges of Uttering a False Check, Larceny by Check Over $1200, and Conspiracy.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the Somerset Police Department. Members of the public should not attempt to detain or confront her. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
