FRANKLIN — On Sunday, March 29, 2026, at approximately 7:05 p.m., Sergeant Robert MacQuarrie of the Franklin Police Department was on patrol traveling south on Grove Street when, while approaching the area of Metcalf-Pacella Materials at 230 Grove Street, he observed the vehicle in front of him veer over the fog line and almost strike the curb.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Sergeant Robert MacQuarrie and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“A split second later, I observed a tan Nissan Frontier pickup truck coming around the corner at an extremely high rate of speed,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I immediately observed that the vehicle was heavily leaning towards the driver’s side as the passenger side tires appeared to be very close to lifting off the ground. I also veered to the right side of the road, fearing the Nissan could strike me or roll over. I then turned on my emergency lights and turned around within the second Metcalf-Pacella driveway entrance.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said he did not have a chance to activate his radar, nor was he able to get an accurate speed estimate in the short period of time between when he first saw the vehicle and when he swerved to the right, activated his lights, and turned around.
“What I did know is that the Nissan was traveling too fast for the road conditions and that his speed had to be well above the posted speed limit,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I caught up to the Nissan, and the vehicle pulled over at 198 Grove Street.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said he approached the passenger side of the vehicle and contacted the driver.
“I asked him why he was driving so fast,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “He stated he was on his way home from work. I then told him that he was driving way too fast for this road and that it was not worth dying or killing someone to get home that fast. He stated he worked multiple shifts in a row and just wanted to get home.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said he then asked the man for his license and registration.
“The driver handed me a NC [North Carolina] driver’s license and a RI [Rhode Island] registration,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I moved back to the rear of my vehicle and asked dispatch to run both. Dispatch informed me that the NC driver’s license was suspended. I asked dispatch if they could tell why the license was suspended. They informed me they would look into it.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie approached the vehicle again and informed the now-identified driver, Bradley Sanchez, that his license was suspended and that he would need to call someone to arrange transportation for himself and removal of the vehicle.
According to police, Bradley Jovan Sanchez, 25, is a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina.
The following arrest is a good example of what Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux notes is consistent with criminological research.
“This appears to be a case where a defendant in this situation wouldn’t think he or she was going to get in trouble for alleged actions,” Sheriff Heroux said. “Certainty of punishment is much more important than the severity or speed of punishment. Most defendants think that they’re not going to get caught, which is why they end up as a defendant.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said Sanchez stated that his license was not suspended.
“I informed him that it was and that I could not let him drive away; therefore, I needed him to call and arrange for a ride for himself and someone to pick up the vehicle. Sanchez made no attempt to make a call and asked me why his license was suspended.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie informed Sanchez that he had already asked dispatch to look into why his license was suspended and that, as soon as he knew, he would tell him.
Sanchez still did not make any calls and began looking around in a manner Sergeant MacQuarrie believed was consistent with possible pre-escape indicators.
“Before someone attempts to flee from police detainment, they will often look around to see which direction is best and if they will be able to get away,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I then asked him to hand me the keys to his vehicle. He looked at me and asked, ‘What do you think, I’m going to try to run?’”
Sergeant MacQuarrie replied that he really did not want Sanchez to run, so it would probably be better if Sanchez handed him the keys until his ride arrived. Sanchez paused briefly and then handed Sergeant MacQuarrie the keys.
“While this was happening, dispatch informed me that Sanchez’s license was suspended for lack of paying fines on previous motor vehicle citations,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I informed Sanchez that it appeared that he did not pay the fines on previous motor vehicle citations and that was the reason that his license was suspended. Sanchez still did not believe his license was suspended, but quickly changed his argument and informed me that it doesn’t matter if his license was suspended in North Carolina because he was in Massachusetts.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said that he informed Sachez that he still needs a driver’s license from somewhere to legally drive a motor vehicle.
“He then stated that he couldn’t believe that I thought he was going to try to run from me,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I stated to him that I had no desire to get into a pursuit tonight.
Sergeant MacQuarrie told Sanchez that all he wanted was for Sanchez to call someone to come get him and the vehicle so they could go on with their nights.
“Sanchez then called his parents and informed me that they would be on the way from Rhode Island and would be here soon to pick him up,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I asked him if they would also be taking the Nissan. Sanchez appeared to be disgusted that I asked that question and stated that of course, they would take the vehicle. While standing at the passenger side of the vehicle having the above conversation with Sanchez, I observed numerous alcohol nip bottles in the center console. They were easy to see, however, after speaking with Sanchez for a few minutes and looking into his eyes, I did not feel that he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said the only behaviors Sanchez exhibited that were indicative of being under the influence of alcohol were the speed at which he was driving and his “belligerent, upset attitude,” even while Sergeant MacQuarrie said he was attempting to help Sanchez arrange a ride home rather than have his vehicle towed.
“At this point, I left the passenger side area of Sanchez’s vehicle and returned to my vehicle to write a citation for speeding and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle while we waited for his ride to arrive,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “After finishing all aspects of the ticket except the address, I approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and asked Sanchez what address he would like me to put on the ticket. He stated my address.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie informed Sanchez that he has a North Carolina driver’s license, but he is driving his brother’s truck, who lives in Rhode Island. He added that Sanchez had just told him that he was on his way home after working multiple long shifts, which contradicted any claim that he was driving to North Carolina.
“He then stated to write the ticket to my address,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I then stated ‘Okay, what’s the address?’ He stated, ‘The one on my license.’ I then informed him that this is a ticket, so he will have to go to court at some point, and they would be mailing his court information to the address on this ticket and if he doesn’t get the court information, a warrant will eventually issue, so I’m only asking to ensure he will get the information and not get a warrant. Sanchez started to scream at me that he already told me to send the ticket to his address. At this point I stated ‘Okay, I change my mind, step out of the vehicle, you’re under arrest.’ I then opened the door and placed Sanchez in custody.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said that he and Officer Eric Cusson, who had arrived on scene to assist, were able to place Sanchez in custody without incident.
“Sanchez was searched and placed in the back of Officer Cusson’s vehicle,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “I then returned to the vehicle with my vehicle inventory tow sheet and camera and began to take pictures of the nips with my department-issued phone/camera. As I was collecting multiple nip bottles I noticed there was a Glock magazine in the center console under the nips.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie photographed the magazine before placing it on the driver’s seat, noting that it appeared to be fully loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.
“I immediately informed Officer Cusson and stated I wanted to do another search to make sure he did not have the gun on his body and that I missed it with the first search,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “Officer Cusson and I removed Sanchez from the back seat and asked him where the gun was. He stated he pleaded the Fifth.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said nothing was located during the second search, and Sanchez was returned to the passenger compartment of the cruiser. Sergeant MacQuarrie then continued to search and inventory the vehicle.
“I collected six nip bottles from various places in the truck as well as a bottle top directly under the driver’s seat,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “Officer [Martin] Zimei arrived on scene and located two AK47 magazines under the passenger seat.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie photographed the magazines before removing them as evidence.
“I asked Officer Zimei to finish the inventory search of the Nissan and wait for the tow to arrive,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said.
Officer Cusson then transported Sanchez to the Franklin Police Department for booking.
“I booked Sanchez in the usual manner, and although he was difficult, we were able to get the booking process completed without incident,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “He was allowed to make a phone call to arrange for his bail and was later bailed out for $500.”
Sergeant MacQuarrie said he learned from the Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Police Department that Sanchez applied for a firearms purchasing background check in July 2023 and was approved.
“After booking, Sanchez informed Sergeant [John] Godino that he was coming from Woonsocket and was on his way to a hotel in Foxboro,” Sergeant MacQuarrie said. “He stated he owned a Glock firearm and that it was at his parents’ house in Rhode Island. I wrote a citation for Sanchez, and he was served in hand as he was bailed.”
Bradley J. Sanchez, 25, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was charged with the following violations/offenses:
- Speeding
- Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
- Possess open container of alcohol in motor vehicle
- Possess ammunition without FID card
- Possess large capacity feeding device
“It doesn’t matter how severe a punishment is or how quickly punishment is received to the person who doesn’t think they are going to get punished,” said Sheriff Heroux. He continued, “All defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in March, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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