'Desperate And Dangerous' Fugitive Captured After Violent Struggle With Wareham Police

WAREHAM (CBS) - A fugitive, described as "desperate and dangerous," was captured Friday morning after a "violent struggle" with police officers in Wareham.

Twenty-four-year-old Anthony Vieira is accused of attacking multiple police officers overnight. He was already wanted for other violent crimes in Wareham and Fall River. Wareham Police said he "committed more felonies" Thursday night in town.

"This is a guy that I believe needs to be incarcerated. He's a threat to the public. I think if he had the chance right now he would try and escape from our station," said Police Chief John Walcek.

Walcek provided the media with a timeline of events that eventually led to Vieira's capture.

Back on Nov. 4, Vieira was arrested in Wareham after police said he broke into two jewelry stores. At his arraignment the next day, prosecutors requested $10,000 bail. Judge Edward Sharkansky rejected that and Vieira was ordered held on $3,500, according to Walcek.

Vieira posted bail in early December and was due to back in court Jan. 29, but he didn't show up.

"I was very concerned when I heard he was back out," Walcek said.

At 2:54 a.m. Friday, the alarm went off at A.J. Mark Jewelers. Police believe it was Vieira who broke into the jewelry store, a place he was familiar with.

"He broke into the A.J. Marks jewelry store in October and I think he actually broke in twice – maybe October and early November and he broke into it again," said Walcek.

Twenty minutes after the alarm, a police officer stopped a man running down Cahoon Road. He was identified as fugitive Anthony Vieira. The officer struggled to handcuff Vieira because "he had numerous watches on."

Vieira was able to shove the officer off him and run away.

The search for Vieira continued for hours until he was located in the basement of a home on Charge Pond Road around 7:15 a.m. Walcek said Vieira kicked one officer twice and punched another one multiple times as they tried to arrest him.

Three other people in the home were also taken into custody. Walcek said charges against them are pending, but they will likely be obstruction related.

It was determined later that around 12:30 a.m., a 7-Eleven in Wareham was broken into and $60 was stolen. Police believe Vieira is behind that crime as well.

"I'm relieved that he's in custody and I'm glad nobody else was hurt. But this is a guy that needs to be locked up," said Walcek.

Police obtained a search warrant to search the Charge Pond Road house for stolen items.

Walcek said, "I undoubtedly believe that Mr. Vieira was a threat to the public. Yes, he was a desperate and dangerous fugitive this morning and the officers of the Wareham Police Department did a phenomenal job in catching him."