Video surveillance, Fall River Police, nab robbery suspect

Fall River Police and a vigilant citizen helped capture a suspect this past weekend.

According to Fall River Police, on Saturday morning August 25th, 2018 at approximately 3:00 am Thomas James Sullivan age 27 was taken into custody after attempting to flee the Columbus Drive + Alice Street neighborhood. Fall River Police Officers were dispatched in response to a citizen complaint of someone in the backyard of his house where his wife and children were home alone.

The complainant, a 38-year-old city resident, stated to police dispatch that his home has a surveillance system that notifies him when there is motion near his home. The complainant stated there was someone in his backyard and no one should be there.

The resident continued to monitor the surveillance systems ‘live feed’ on his Smartphone while giving police dispatch updates of the suspects’ movements which included checking the car door handles of the vehicles in his driveway and then walking over to the neighboring driveway.

For the past several weeks, area residents have been plagued by motor vehicle break-ins were coins, cash, and other valuables were taken from vehicles. Some residents went as far as clearing their vehicles of all personal items and leaving notes for the overnight thieves.

With the resident relaying information from his live feed directly to police dispatch, responding Officers were given live updates of the suspects’ location and actions. Upon Officers arriving on the street, the suspect fled to a wooded area in the rear yard of a neighboring home. Officers Derrick Silva, Joseph Boyajian, Paul McGuire, and Denis Gagne began a search. Officer Boyajian located the suspect behind a boulder. After a brief struggle, Officer Boyajian, with the assistance of Officers Silva and McGuire, took Sullivan into custody.

During the search, Officers located a pair of gloves, a hooded sweatshirt with the pockets containing loose change, a folding knife and a flashlight along the path taken by the suspect. A backpack containing gift cards, sunglasses, and a folding knife matching the one in the sweatshirt was located near Sullivan.

Thomas James Sullivan age 27 of 120 Terri-Marie Way #14 Fall River was charged with:
Breaking and Entering a Vehicle,
Attempt to commit a Crime,
Possession of Burglarious instruments,
Trespassing, and
Receiving Stolen Property

This is still an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Denis Gagne at 508-676-8511. You can also call the anonymous TIPS line at 508-672-8477 and leave information anonymously.