WPD: Suspects caught unpacking stolen TVs before leading police on highway pursuit…
Mugshots left to right: Paul Leite, Erikka Williams, and Joseph Debenedictis.
The following is the actual Wareham Police Department media statement:
On Friday, June 15, at about 1025 a.m. Wareham Police received a call reporting two males in the parking lot of Aldi’s removing televisions from boxes that had just been stolen from Walmart.
Within seconds of the dispatch, Lt. John Gerard arrived and observed the males standing next to a brown Toyota, removing a large television from its box and placing it into the vehicle.
As Lt. Gerard approached the males, they franticly entered the vehicle and attempted to retrieve something under the front seat prompting Lt. Gerard to draw his firearm, and demanding to see the suspect’s hands.
The vehicle then sped away, with Lt. Gerard in pursuit.
The vehicle proceeded onto Route 195 west bound, into Mattapoisett where it exited at the North Street toward Rochester.
Detective Dean Decas was also following the vehicle however, both officers lost sight of it and discontinued the pursuit.
Shortly thereafter, Rochester police located the vehicle abandoned on Pine Street.
A witness advised police that a female and two males fled from the vehicle in different directions.
Multiple police agencies were now in the area and a search for the suspects began.
Within 30 minutes the first suspect, Erikka Williams, 25, of East Falmouth was placed into custody.
After about 3 hours the two other suspects, Paul G. Leite Jr., 25, of Fall River and Joseph Debenedictis, 27, of Dorchester were located and placed under arrest.
The two televisions stolen were valued at over $1,000 combined.
The individuals were charged as follows:
Joseph Debenedictis: Shoplifting over $250.00, Failure to Stop for Police, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Passing on Right and Speeding.
Paul Leite: Shoplifting over $250.00
Erikka Williams: Shoplifting over $250.00
The suspects were transported to Wareham Police Headquarters, where they were processed pending arraignment in Wareham District Court.
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