Multi-town pursuit of suspect ends in arrest in Rockland

ROCKLAND, Mass. — Sky 25 captured the arrest of a 47-year-old Woburn man after a pursuit through several towns from Taunton to Rockland on Friday.

Witnesses say the arrest of Giovanni Acevedo ended peacefully.

“It didn’t look like there was a big struggle,” said Paul Brezina, who is the service manager at WCS Automotive on Route 139 in Rockland.

But it didn’t start that way.

Acevedo, who had six outstanding warrants, was tracked down by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at a home in Taunton.

When they showed up, he was sitting in a white Mercedes and took off through a yard nearly hitting police.

State Police followed but Acevedo lost them. However, he was soon spotted by police in Raynham and a pursuit began.

Police trailed him through Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Pembroke, Hanover and finally Rockland where it ended. People suddenly heard a police helicopter just 100 feet above them.

“We heard a very loud rumbling. It shook the whole building so I went out the side door and saw a black helicopter hovering very low,” said Kathleen Hepburn, who owns a stained glass business in town.

Next door, people saw police surround Acevedo’s car.

“When I looked out there was a white Mercedes that had come to a stop in the parking area and about 20 cruiser all around,” said Brezina.

Meanwhile, others officers searched the area.

“A police officer came running down here with his weapon drawn and he told me to stay back,” said Robert Burnside, who works nearby.

At first, Acevedo refused to get out of his car but after about 45 minutes he finally gave up.

“It looked like they cuffed him while he was standing up and patted him down and sat him on the curb there,” said Brezina.

He was taken to South Shore Hospital for evaluation. After that, he’ll be booked by State Police on the numerous warrants and charges from today’s pursuit.

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