Three suspects arrested after vehicle dragged State Trooper when fleeing traffic stop in Fall River

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Massachusetts State Police have arrested three people involved in Tuesday morning’s incident in which a State Trooper was dragged by a vehicle that fled from a traffic stop in Fall River.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., the Trooper stopped a 2011 black Honda Accord at the intersection of Pleasant and 17th streets after a query of the vehicle revealed the owner’s insurance had been revoked last November.

When the trooper approached the vehicle, the driver, a 27-year-old woman, stated she did not have her license on her and that the vehicle belonged to someone else. Police said a young adult male was sitting in the passenger seat when the trooper informed them their Accord was going to be towed.

A short time later a silver Hyundai pulled up and a woman, identified as Maria Melendez Rivera, 41, of New Bedford, exited that vehicle and approached the trooper. The trooper confirmed she was the registered owner of the Accord he had stopped.

An initial investigation revealed that the male passenger in the Accord was Steven Melendez, 22, of New Bedford, and that he was the subject of three warrants issued out of New Bedford District Court, one in connection with a shooting. Melendez is the son of Rivera.

When the trooper attempted to take Melendez into custody, he broke free and ran into the Hyundai with the driver of the Accord.

When the trooper ran up to the Hyundai and began to pull Melendez out of the vehicle Rivera sped off at a high rate of speed. The Trooper held onto Melendez, who was kicking and pushing while the Hyundai accelerated.

After being dragged for about a block, the trooper disengaged from the suspect and fell onto the pavement as the Hyundai sped away. He was treated for injuries at St. Luke’s Hospital and returned to work the rest of his shift by shortly after 4 a.m.

State Police obtained arrest warrants for Melendez, Rivera and Melendez’s girlfriend, 27-year-old Keysh Resto Alejandro.

At approximately 12:15 p.m., troopers located and stopped a motor vehicle occupied by Rivera on Route 195 east in Westport. Troopers took her into custody on the warrant.

She was transported to State Police-Dartmouth and arraigned in Fall River District Court Tuesday on multiple charges.

State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and the State Police Gang Unit developed information that the Melendez might be at a hotel in Warwick, R.I., and enlisted the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force and US Marshals Service personnel.

Shortly before 4 p.m. the apprehension team observed Melendez driving on the ramp from Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, R.I., to I-95 and stopped him. Less than 16 hours after he violently assaulted a Massachusetts State Trooper, he was taken into custody.

He was also charged on the three prior warrants: one for a motor vehicle offense, the second for vandalism, and the third for firearm and assault charges stemming from a 2021 shooting in New Bedford.

Alejandro, who was in the vehicle with Melendez at the time of his arrest, was arrested on her warrant, which charged her with accessory after the fact and interfering with a police officer.

Authorities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will arrange for Melendez and Alejandro to be rendited to Massachusetts for prosecution.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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