ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) – A North Attleboro man, Kevin Burke, 40, appeared in court Friday morning after a violent arrest attempt at a Mansfield hotel left three officers injured.
Attempted Arrest Turns Violent
According to prosecutors, police approached Burke while he was sitting inside his car outside the Red Roof Inn on Forbes Boulevard to serve outstanding arrest warrants for shoplifting, motor vehicle offenses, and assault and battery.
When officers smashed the driver’s side window to prevent him from fleeing, Burke allegedly sped off, dragging one officer with him.
“An officer is pinned inside that vehicle, half of his body in the vehicle, half of his body out, as Mr. Burke accelerates at a high rate of speed towards the exit,” said Patrick Driscoll, from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
A second officer fired a shot, hitting Burke in the arm, but he continued to drive. The officer pinned to the vehicle was thrown to the pavement and dragged before Burke escaped the scene.
Burke Captured & Facing Multiple Charges
Burke was later arrested in North Attleboro. The injured officers were treated and have since been released from the hospital.
Burke is currently held without bail as a fugitive from justice from Rhode Island, where he previously failed to appear in court.
He faces over two dozen charges from multiple law enforcement agencies, including:
Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon
Fentanyl trafficking
Possession of cocaine and fentanyl
Resisting arrest
Burke is expected to return to court next week.
