Police arrest Taunton man on multiple charges after car chase

Police arrested a 33-year-old man on multiple charges Monday night after three different police agencies pursued him in multiple communities.

During the chase, Taunton resident Luis Melo is said to have been driving a stolen car with a dog in it that didn’t belong to him and intentionally drove into two police cars, multiple police agencies said Thursday a joint press release.

Mello’s charges include assault, negligent action, animal cruelty and others, the press release said. Officials said Mello is wanted in Wrentham and Fall River District Courts.

Around 7:40pm on August 14, Middleborough Police discovered a white Infiniti that had been reported stolen in Westport, the release said. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver – who was later identified as Melo – allegedly drove away.

Mello stopped the vehicle to pick up a passenger – later identified as Middleborough resident Crystal Metta, 30 – before allegedly fleeing police again, officials said.

Police used a tire drain device and managed to burst the Infiniti’s left rear tire, the statement said. But Melo allegedly drove on with tires that were too small.

Melo was being pursued by Taunton and Raynham and allegedly deliberately hit two cruisers, the statement said.

Police arrested Melo and Metta in the parking lot of a Taco Bell in Raynham, the statement said. Police found a small French Bulldog in the back seat of the stolen Infiniti, which they believe did not belong to any of the suspects.

Raynham Police took the dog to the Lakeville Animal Shelter for an evaluation.

The fees

Raynham Police charged Melo with failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Failing to stop, violating marked lanes, driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, cruelty to animals, and receiving $1,200 in stolen property.

Middleborough Police charged him with driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license, driving a motor vehicle negligently, failing to stop for police, speeding, failing to stop, violating marked lanes and an overtaking offence.

Taunton Police charged him with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, violating a marked lane, failing to stop, speeding, driving a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, leaving the scene of an accident and causing property damage .
negligent handling of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for the police.

Raynham Police also charged Metta with receiving over $1,200 worth of stolen property. She was also wanted on warrants from Taunton, Wareham and Attleboro District Courts.