Arlington Police Arrest Two in Stolen Car After Traffic Stop

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Arlington Police Arrest Two in Stolen Car After Traffic Stop

Police Seeking Third Suspect, 21-Year-Old Cambridge Man

ARLINGTON – Chief Frederick Ryan is today praising the work of the Arlington Police Department overnight shift in capturing two suspects after a routine traffic stop netted a stolen car. Police are now seeking the public’s assistance in locating a third suspect, the alleged driver.

Sergeant Bryan Gallagher was on patrol at 1:55 a.m. on Wednesday when he noticed a vehicle pass him at a high rate of speed on Mystic Street near Summer Street. He turned around to follow the car and caught up with it, making a traffic stop on Medford Street near Warren Street.

The vehicle made an abrupt stop, and as Sergeant Gallagher approached, the driver opened the door and ran off. Two passengers also attempted to flee. Instead of pursuing the driver, Sergeant Gallagher radioed in a description of the driver and secured the two passengers, preventing them from escaping.

A check on the vehicle showed that it had been recently stolen from Cambridge.

The two passengers, a teenage male and female, were arrested and charged with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle. They were identified as JOHN RICHARD MORGAN, AGE 19, OF CAMBRIDGE, and HOPE SIOUX ANNE NOVESKA, AGE 20, OF JAMAICA PLAIN. 

Chief Ryan credited Sergeant Gallagher for keeping calm under pressure and securing the two suspects.

“Faced with a fleeing suspect, in the middle of the night, Sergeant Gallagher could have attempted to pursue the driver, and risked losing all three suspects, and he chose the smart option,” Chief Ryan said. “He exercised sound judgement in securing two suspects and finding a stolen car as it sped through our community.”

The Arlington Police Department K-9 unit was able to track and locate discarded clothing that was linked to the driver, helping police identify the suspect.

An Arlington Police Department investigation has identified the suspected driver as NATHAN L. BRITO, AGE 21, CAMBRIDGE. Police secured an arrest warrant this afternoon and are actively seeking him at this time. He faces a number of charges including Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop for Police, and Speeding.

If anyone has any information on BRITO or his whereabouts, they are urged to contact Arlington Police at 617-643-1212. All callers may remain anonymous.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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