Suspect Quickly Taken into Custody After Downtown Stabbing

NEW BEDFORD – Patrol officers have placed a man under arrest following a fight in the downtown sector.

On Wednesday, April 16th, officers responded to a call for a stabbing victim in the area of the Elm Street and Purchase Street intersection.  Upon arrival, the officers were able to determine that an adult male victim had sustained a severe laceration to his arm and two other minor wounds to his body.  The suspect had since fled the scene.

A description was provided to the assisting units, who then began a search of the area.  Shortly thereafter, Ofc. Jenny Roman located the suspect at the Serta bus terminal, and he was taken into custody without incident.  He was identified as Mr. DENNIS HART, 46, of 423 Dartmouth Street.

HART was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.  HART is currently on probation out of New Bedford District Court.  He has an extensive criminal history with 43 adult arraignments and previous convictions for a variety of offenses including distribution of class B substance, assault and battery, malicious destruction of property, intimidation, and strangulation.

The victim is expected to recover.

The arresting officer was Ofc. Jenna Touchette

If you have any information you would like to give the police, you can do so anonymously by calling 508-99-CRIME or visiting our website and submitting a tip.