‘Desperate and Dangerous' Man Who Attacked Officer Caught: Police

A wanted man who allegedly attacked an officer while on the run had too many stolen watches on his wrists to be handcuffed during a confrontation overnight Friday before he was arrested hours later, according to police in Massachusetts.

Wareham police say 24-year-old Anthony Vieira, who was wanted on multiple charges and described as a "desperate and dangerous individual," was taken into custody Friday following a separate attack on a police officer overnight.

Wareham Police Chief John Walchek said Vieira broke into a 7-Eleven after midnight Friday and the AJ Marks jewelry store just before 3 a.m. when an officer caught up with him shortly after the second break-in. Vieira allegedly assaulted the officer, who was unable to handcuff the suspect because he had too many stolen watches on his wrist, before fleeing the scene.

Authorities caught up with Vieira at a home on Charge Pond Road just after 7 a.m., where he was eventually taken into custody following a "violent struggle" with two other officers in the home's basement where he had been hiding. The three other people in the home where Vieira was arrested were also taken into custody. Their names have not been released, and it's unclear what charges they face.

"He was a desperate, dangerous fugitive this morning and the officers of the Wareham Police department did a phenomenal job and catching him," said Wareham Police Chief John Walcek.

The first officer who was assaulted was taken to Tobey Hospital for minor injuries. It's unclear if the arresting officers were also injured.

Vieira is facing charges related to breaking and entering, assault and battery on an officer and resisting arrest. His bail for previous cases was revoked when he faced a Wareham District Court judge on Friday and was ordered to be held on $50,000 for Friday's charges.

Vieira, who has an extensive record, was arrested in November on three counts of breaking and entering and three counts of larceny connection with a string of jewelry store thefts. Late last year, the Plymouth district attorney's office requested $10,000 bail, which was reduced to $3,500 by a judge.

Matt Chick, who works at AJ Marks, said Vieira allegedly robbed his store four times in the last five years.

"I pray for Anthony and his family for sure and will continue do so but just so grateful that Wareham Police Department apprehend him," said Chick.

Walcek said the suspect was released on bail in December and since then, Vieira has accumulated several warrants from Fall River.