RANDOLPH — Chief William Pace reports that the Randolph Police Department has charged a man who allegedly fled from officers and led them on a pursuit early Tuesday morning.
A man, tentatively identified as MANUEL VIDAL, AGE 45, OF BRENTWOOD, NEW YORK, was charged with:
- Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash with Property Damage
The man’s identity remains a part of the active investigation. He will likely be facing further charges from Randolph Police and other communities where he is alleged to have led officers on separate chases overnight.
At 1:48 a.m. today, a Randolph Police officer was on North Main Street when he observed the driver of a black 2020 Toyota Corolla run through a red light at Crawford Square onto South Main Street (Route 28). The driver, later identified as VIDAL, drove up onto the sidewalk and continued down South Main Street. The vehicle did not have a rear license plate.
The officer attempted to pull VIDAL over, but he continued down the road toward Avon swerving across the road. The officer notified Avon Police that the vehicle was heading into their town travelling at speeds of around 30-40 miles per hour.
Once in Avon, there were now four cruisers behind VIDAL, all with their lights on and sirens sounding. VIDAL showed no signs of being aware of the police presence around him and did not stop or slow down.
With the road clear ahead of them, the Randolph Police officer that initiated the pursuit drove in front of VIDAL’S vehicle while driving down West Main Street in Avon. The officer slowed down in front of VIDAL as they approached Harrison Boulevard in an attempt to get him to stop before the intersection.
The officer was able to get VIDAL to stop his vehicle prior to the intersection and as officers approached his vehicle on foot, he sped off, striking the Randolph Police cruiser in front of him. The vehicle sustained minor damage and the officer was uninjured.
VIDAL fled at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour into Brockton down North Main Street. The officers followed VIDAL from a safe distance as he drove through Brockton and eventually into West Bridgewater.
Concerned for the safety of the public, Randolph Police terminated the pursuit in West Bridgewater and notified area law enforcement agencies about the incident and provided a description of the vehicle.
Approximately one hour later, after allegedly leading officers on subsequent pursuits through Easton, Brockton, East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater, VIDAL was stopped in the area of 740 North Main St. in West Bridgewater where he was taken into custody and transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton.
The incident remains under investigation by Randolph Police and other departments. VIDAL will be issued a summons to appear in court for the charges he faces out of Randolph.
VIDAL has a history with police, including a history of fleeing from police in other states.
These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
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