Fairhaven Police arrested a 27 year old Fall River man after he stole a car from the parking lot of Stop and Shop, almost running down the vehicle owner, after being caught shoplifting over $400 in merchandise and led police on a chase that ended in Mattapoisett after deployment of  a “stop stick” tire deflation device by Mattapoisett PD.

Brian Hilario of 1197 Robeson St, Fall River was charged with Carjacking, Assault By Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Failing to Stop for Police, Motor Vehicle Larceny, Larceny exceeding $250, Resisting Arrest and various motor vehicle charges.  He was also the subject of 5 default warrants for possession of heroin, larceny, shoplifting and other motor vehicle charges.

-Brian Hilario

Police state that Hilario and Michael Couto, 25, of 128 John St, Fall River were driven to the Fairhaven Stop and Shop by Couto’s father to go grocery shopping.  Police believe that the father knew nothing of the two men’s plan to shoplift from the store.

Store security personnel intercepted Couto and Hilario exiting the store with a carriage full of over $400 worth of merchandise without paying.  Couto agreed to return to the store but Hilario ran to the elder Couito’s car and jumped in demanding that the elder Couto drive away.  The elder Couto saw Hilario being chased by store security and refused to derive away demanding to know what was going on. 

Hilario then exited the car running toward Rt 6.  He returned to the car where the elder Couto had exited the driver’s seat and was speaking to store security.  Hilario jumped into the driver’s seat at which time the elder Couto had his hands on the hood demanding that Hilario get out of the car.  Hilario speed off almost striking the elder Couto.

Fairhaven Police had received a 911 call from the store at 4:17 pm.  Officer Stephen Gwozdz was entering the parking lot when he saw Hilario speeding onto Rt 6 in Couto’s black, 1998, Ford Escort.  Gwozdz pursued Hilario with blue lights and sirens activated east on Rt 6 into Mattapoisett.  Mattapoisett Police Sgt. Robert Boivin assisted by other Mattapoisett Officers had stopped traffic on Rt 6 and deployed a “spike strip” tire deflation device across Rt 6.  The escort struck the device deflating its two front tires whereupon Hilario was arrested by Officer Gwozdz of Fairhaven and Officer Scott LeBlanc of Mattapoisett.

Hilario admitted to police that he and Couto shoplift to get money to buy drugs.

-From the Fairhaven Police Department