Westport Police arrest man concerning vehicle stolen from Dartmouth parking lot

A car theft at a local parking lot has led to an arrest by Westport Police.

According to Detective Sergeant Christopher Dunn, on August 20, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Dartmouth Police Department released a “BOLO” for a 2005 red Toyota Tacoma which was taken from the Lowe’s parking lot in their town with the keys left in the vehicle. Witnesses believed the vehicle was taken by a white male wearing a mask, red cap, and black/blue shorts.

At 10:34 a.m. a call was placed to the Westport Police Department from the Cumberland Farms located at 596 State Road in Westport, stating a truck had been abandoned at the gas pump for some time. The calling party was able to retrieve the license plate number to the vehicle. Westport Police Dispatch confirmed this was the same vehicle stolen out of Dartmouth. Additionally, the caller identified a male walking around the CVS parking lot located across the street. Officer Robert Reed arrived in the area and observed a man matching the description from the earlier BOLO, standing on the sidewalk on Gifford Road adjacent to CVS.

Field Training Officer Fernando Goncalves and Officer Michael Chicca arrived at the Cumberland Farms. During the course of their investigation, FTO Goncalves was able to view surveillance video which showed 39-year-old Michael O’Neill from Boston, exit the driver’s side door of the stolen vehicle. O’Neill then entered Cumberland Farms where he stayed for several minutes before leaving. He then walked across State Road to CVS. O’Neill was placed into custody and later found to be in possession of Adderall and Gabapentin, neither of which he had a prescription for.

O’Neill was placed under arrest for Receiving Stolen Property +$1,200 (motor vehicle), Possession of Class B Drug – Subsequent Offense, Possession of Class E Drug, and Larceny Under $1,200.

O’Neill was later transported to the Fall River Justice Center for arraignment.