On February 17, 2012, at approximately 1:00 AM, Officer Stephen Kearney noticed a vehicle travel through the red light signal at Main Avenue and Rte. 6&28. Upon being signaled to stop by the officer, the vehicle increased its speed and continued toward Onset Center, before turning into an Onset neighborhood in an obvious attempt to elude the officer.

The vehicle left the residential area and traveled to Minot Ave., heading toward Wareham Center. While on Minot Avenue, the vehicle abruptly stopped, at which time the suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Joseph Pennini of 10 Linda Lane in Forestdale, MA, fled on foot from the vehicle. Responding officers set up a perimeter and located the suspect within minutes, as he was running on the train tracks toward Depot Street. Mr. Pennini, who had the keys to the vehicle in his possession when located by Officers Kevin Reilly and John Iacobucci, was placed into custody on the railroad tracks just before the Depot St. intersection after a brief struggle.

Joseph Pennini has been charged with Failing to Stop for Police, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Resisting Arrest, as well as Operating After License Suspension, due to a prior OUI conviction. It should be noted that Mr. Pennini was wearing a court ordered ankle monitoring device at the time of his arrest.  Mr. Pennini was also cited for failing to stop at a red light and speeding.

Mr. Pennini was held at the Wareham Police Department and will be arraigned at the Wareham 4^th District Court on Friday, February 17, 2012.