Suspect arrested after violating restraining order, fleeing country

March 6, 2019 11:49 am

By News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) – Massachusetts State Police arrested a former New Bedford man on warrants after he returned to the country from overseas.

The Bristol County DA’s office said John Walker was wanted for six counts of violating a restraining order and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon when he was taken into custody at Logan Airport in Boston on February 23rd.

Walker was the subject of a restraining order after allegedly assaulting his uncle with Mace in 2017. Walker was charged with assault and battery and in January 2018 while the case was in its pretrial stages, fled to England.

The DA’s office said Walker violated the restraining order while abroad, sending his uncle a number of text messages, some containing threats.

Walker appeared in New Bedford District Court on February 25th. He was ordered to undergo a mental health and competency evaluation at a secure facility.

Walker is due back in court on March 14 for a dangerousness hearing.