Trooper dragged by car fleeing motor vehicle stop in Fall River; three people under arrest

FALL RIVER — A state trooper was dragged by a car after conducting a motor vehicle stop in Fall River early Tuesday morning, and three suspects are in custody to face charges that include assault and battery on a police officer.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, the trooper, who is assigned to the midnight shift out of the State Police Dartmouth Barracks, was treated at a hospital for injuries and then returned for the rest of his shift.

At 12:30 a.m., the trooper pulled over the driver of a 2011 black Honda Accord for a motor vehicle violation in the area of Pleasant and 17th streets in Fall River. A query of the vehicle's license plate revealed that the owner's car insurance had been revoked in November.

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According to state police, the driver, Keysh Resto Alejandro, 27, of New Bedford, said she didn't have her license in her possession and that the car belonged to someone else. Police said Steven Melendez, 22, of New Bedford, was in the passenger seat.

Police said the trooper told the duo that he was having the car towed and told them to call someone for a ride.

Soon afterward, police said, a silver Hyundai pulled up to the scene and Maria Melendez Rivera, 41, of New Bedford, exited the vehicle and approached the trooper; the trooper confirmed Melendez Rivera as the Accord's owner.

Police said the trooper discovered that Melendez, the son of Melendez Rivera, was the subject of three warrants issued out of New Bedford District Court, one in connection with a shooting. When the trooper attempted to arrest Melendez, police said, Melendez broke free and ran into the Hyundai. Melendez Rivera and Alejandro also entered the Hyundai and the three attempted to flee.

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Police said the trooper attempted to pull Melendez out of the vehicle, but Melendez Rivera, who was in the driver's seat, sped off. The trooper held onto Melendez, who attempted to kick and push the trooper off, and was dragged for about a block. When the trooper let go, he fell to the pavement as the Hyundai fled.

The trooper was treated at St. Luke’s Hospital for injuries related to the incident, before being discharged around 4 a.m. and returning to his shift to continue the investigation and locate the suspect.

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Three people under arrest

State police obtained arrest warrants for all three people. Melendez Rivera was arrested shortly after noon Tuesday during a stop on Interstate 195 in Westport, booked at the State Police barracks in Dartmouth and was to have been arraigned at Fall River District Court.

Meanwhile, officers from Troop D, the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and the State Police Gang Unit developed information that Melendez was at a hotel in Warwick, Rhode Island, and enlisted the help of the R.I. State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Marshals. Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, police said, officers spotted Melendez in Warwick and arrested him. Alejandro was in the car with Melendez, and she was also arrested.

Among the officers present for Melendez's arrest was the trooper dragged by the vehicle early that morning.

Melendez Rivera is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police office, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, malicious destruction of property and speeding.

Melendez was charged with assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest; he was also charged on the three prior warrants: one for a motor vehicle offense, the second for vandalism, and the third for firearm and assault charges stemming from a 2021 shooting in New Bedford.

Alejandro was charged with accessory after the fact and interfering with a police officer.

Update: This story has been updated to include information about the suspects' arrests.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Trooper dragged by car fleeing motor vehicle stop in Fall River