Swansea Police make arrest in connection with a breaking and entering after pursuit

SWANSEA — Chief Marc Haslam reports that the Swansea Police Department arrested a man in connection with a breaking and entering in town following a foot pursuit that took place earlier today.

On Wednesday evening, officers were called to Brad’s Auto, 1475 G.A.R. Highway, for a report of someone driving through the gated fence. A suspect was not located at that time.

At approximately 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning, Swansea Police Sgt. John Souza and Officers Mike Mulhern, Dan Walsh and Macaila Saunders were dispatched to Brad’s Auto for a report of a suspicious male. The reporting party stated that the man, later identified as 18-year-old Biron Gabriel Chalas-Lopez, of East Providence, was allegedly in the lot trying to break through the gate to the impound yard.

The reporting party informed police prior to their arrival that the suspect left the scene and was heading on foot toward Best Choice Auto at the intersection of G.A.R. Highway and Bushee Road.

Upon arrival, Sgt. Souza observed a man fitting the reported description on Bushee Road. The suspect then allegedly ran behind a house on Bushee Road before entering the woods behind Best Choice Auto.

Sgt. Souza set up a perimeter and began a search of the woods for the suspect. Swansea Police Det. Jonathan Boyd deployed one of Swansea Police’s drones to search the area. The Bristol County Sheriff’s Department and Massachusetts State Police responded with their K-9 units to assist in the search for the suspect.

A short time later, police located Chalas-Lopez in a thorned area of the woods. After a brief struggle, police arrested him. Chalas-Lopez nor any police officers were injured during the struggle.

At the time of his arrest, Chalas-Lopez was allegedly in possession of a BB pellet gun which was seized by police. Police also recovered a key fob on Chalas-Lopez’s person that was determined to belong to an impounded vehicle located at Brad’s Auto.

Through their investigation, Swansea Police determined that Chalas-Lopez was also allegedly the suspect in the breaking and entering that occurred at Brad’s Auto Wednesday evening.

Chalas-Lopez was arrested and charged with Breaking and Entering into a Motor Vehicle During the Daytime with Intent to Commit a Felony (two counts), Malicious Damage to Motor Vehicle, Malicious Destruction of Property Over $1,200, Trespassing, Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace, Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle (two counts), Resisting Arrest, and Receiving Stolen Property Under $1,200.

Once he was taken into custody and booked, Chalas-Lopez was transported to the Fall River Justice Center. He was expected to be arraigned in Fall River District Court today.