Suspects that led police on chase through Mattapoisett, Rochester charged

Jun 19, 2018

Three suspected shoplifters that police chased through Mattapoisett and ended with an hours-long search on foot in Rochester have been charged.

The three people, one woman and two men, were arrested on June 15 after allegedly stealing two televisions worth more than $1,000 combined from the Wareham Walmart.

Erikka Williams, 25, of East Falmouth, Joseph Debenedictis, 27, of Dorchester and Paul G. Leite Jr., 25, of Fall River are all charged with shoplifting. Debenedictis was also charged with: failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, passing on the right and speeding.

Wareham Police received a call saying the men were seen in the Aldi’s parking lot opening boxes that contained two televisions stolen from Walmart. Police said Lt. John Gerard saw the men place the televisions in a car. Gerard approached the men, who then entered the car and attempted to grab something from under the front seat, police said.

Gerard then drew his gun and demanded to see the suspect’s hands. The car then sped away with Gerard in pursuit, police said.

The car headed west on Route 195 into Mattapoisett. Police followed it to North Street, but lost sight of the car and stopped pursuing. Rochester Police then found the car abandoned on Pine Street. A witness said the three suspects fled on foot in different directions. Williams was found 30 minutes after the search began. Debenedictis and Leite were found three hours later.

The suspects were transported to Wareham Police headquarters, where they were processed pending arraignment in Wareham District Court.