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Jayden Lepore, of Whitman, was arrested along with an unnamed juvenile person also from Whitman on Wednesday, June 27 in East Bridgewater, according to the Whitman Police Department.
The two people were riding motorcycles together, heading south on Bedford Street (Route 18) in Whitman near the intersection with Joyce Avenue, when police noticed that one of the two was not wearing a helmet.
Massachusetts has a stringent motorcycle helmet law that requires all drivers and passengers must wear a state-approved helmet.
Police began to pursue the pair, and the person who was later identified as the juvenile, weaved his motorcycle back and forth to block the police car.
The helmetless person, later identified as Lepore, also weaved in and out of traffic, crossing over a double yellow line.
Lepore's motorcycle did not have a registration plate on it.
The juvenile was forced to stop for traffic, so police pulled ahead of his motorcycle and continued chasing Lepore.
Lepore pulled a black T-shirt over his face to protect his identity and kept driving southbound on Bedford Street at approximately 55 to 60 mph.
He crossed into East Bridgewater and attempted to turn right onto Highland Avenue when he lost control of his bike, hit a traffic island, and fell from the bike.
Lepore was attempting to get back on his motorcycle when police arrested him.
The juvenile arrived at the scene where Lepore had been arrested and then dashed away on his motorcycle, which he then ditched a short while later on Oak Street.
He ran into a wooded area and was arrested by East Bridgewater Police.
Lepore had been wearing a fanny pack when he was arrested, Inside, police found what they believe to be a "ghost" gun, which is a kit-made firearm with no serial number, as well as a Glock magazine capable of carrying 31 9mm rounds.
The juvenile's motorcycle was determined to have been stolen out of Lowell, police later found using the motorcycle's VIN. Lowell Police were contacted about the stolen bike.
Lepore was charged with:
- Unlicensed carrying of a firearm
- Possession of a large capacity firearm
- Possession of a large-capacity feeding device
- Possession of ammunition without an FID card
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
- Fail to stop for a police officer
- Speeding
- Marked lanes violation
- Operating outside of license class
- Improper passing
- Operating a motorcycle without a helmet
- Operating a motorcycle without eye goggles
The juvenile was charged with:
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
- Operating as an unregistered minor
- Fail to stop for a police officer
- Receiving a stolen motor vehicle
- Use without authority
Whitman Police thanked the East Bridgewater Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department for their help with the case.
"Our law enforcement officers played a critical role in the apprehension of these suspects," Chief Timothy Hanlon said. "We're grateful that they were able to assist us in the pursuit and following manhunt."
Both Lepore and the juvenile were taken into custody and booked at Whitman Police Department headquarters.
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