NEW BEDFORD – Police have arrested one man and are charging another man after an altercation at a New Bedford car dealership.
On Friday, February 16, police responded to 1593 Cove Road in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, patrol officers learned that an argument over a civil matter had escalated into a physical confrontation. The store’s owner, 39-year-old Thomas Vinagre, got into a physical confrontation with 24-year-old Dallas Chase. During the struggle, Chase produced a firearm and fired it twice as the men grappled.
Fortunately, no one was hit and the customer immediately called police for help.
Narcotics detectives Emily Pacheco and Matthew Sylvia were the first to arrive on the scene and were able to separate the two men. The firearm was secured and Chase was found to have official permission to carry it. He was arrested and charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and two counts of assault and attempted assault with a firearm. A 9mm semi-automatic firearm was seized.
Vinagre is also being asked to face charges of assault and battery against Chase.
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