Westport man arrested after high speed chase, almost striking detective, school bus, striking car

A Westport man was arrested today after stealing a vehicle which lead to a chase and later fleeing.

According to Detective Jeff Majewski, at approximately 9:40 a.m. this morning, several Westport Police officers arrested Jamie Pearce, 44, with a last known address of 99 Beechwood Drive, in Westport on an arrest warrant. Pearce had made previous comments that he was not returning to jail. Due to Pearce’s comments, Lieutenant Thomas Plourde, Sergeant Gary Cambra, and Officers Todd Oliver and David Leite participated in the execution of the arrest warrant. Pearce was located inside the home in a back room. He complied with the officers instructions and was taken into custody on charges of Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop for Police, Operating a vehicle to endanger, two counts of Assault dangerous weapon (Motor Vehicle), and operating a vehicle with a revoked driver’s license.

The warrant for his arrest was issued after Pearce had stolen a Honda CRV from a neighbor on October 31st at approximately 3:20 p.m.. WPD stated that the victim had left keys inside the car which Pearce used to drive off with the vehicle. The victim saw the crime occur and alerted police immediately. She followed her stolen vehicle for a brief period and gave updates on the location of it to a 911 Emergency dispatcher while the suspect drove along Westport roads.

On Briggs Road, a Westport Detective attempted to stop Pearce and was nearly struck as he drove at the cruiser. The vehicle continued South on Sanford Road at a slow rate of speed and the officer recognized the suspect as Pearce. Pearce then accelerated to speeds in excess of 70 MPH and police discontinued the pursuit due to safety concerns. The suspect nearly struck a school bus and other cars as it drove through a red light onto American Legion Highway headed East. Another Westport Officer spotted the vehicle as it drove in excess of 80 MPH and nearly struck several additional vehicles on American Legion Highway. The Honda CRV attempted to turn onto Route 88 Northbound and lost control and spun out in the grass median. Pearce regained control of the vehicle and continued on Route 88 North in excess of 90-100 MPH while passing numerous vehicles in the breakdown lane.

Police lost sight of the vehicle until Massachusetts State Police spotted the stolen Honda travelling down the breakdown lane of I-195 Eastbound in the Dartmouth area while passing cars in excess of 100 MPH. The Honda turned onto Penniman Street in New Bedford and struck a parked vehicle near Hazard Court. Pearce fled the scene on foot and was not located until his capture today.