Tewksbury Police Arrest Westford Man Following Vehicle Break-In

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury police arrested a Westford man early Wednesday morning and charged him with breaking into a vehicle, Chief Ryan Columbus said.

Matthew MacDonald, 24 of Westford, was charged with breaking and entering into a vehicle in the nighttime for a felony, driving under the influence of liquor (second offense), driving with a suspended license and uninsured motor vehicle.

Around 2:25 a.m. Wednesday, police were sent to Lowe Street for a reported van break-in, Columbus said.

Police were told the suspect had fled in a white SUV, which they found on East Street. They stopped the vehicle, but the driver, later identified as MacDonald, fled on foot, according to the police news release.

MacDonald was found soon after and arrested.

"MacDonald showed signs of impairment during an on-scene investigation and was shown to have a blood alcohol content nearly twice the legal limit," police said.

The resident who reported the incident heard their van's engine starting outside their home, police said.

"The resident went outside and saw the driver’s side door of their vehicle open and the engine running, and observed the suspect fleeing," the news release said.

MacDonald had cuts on his face which the police said he suffered from falling while attempting to flee. He refused medical treatment.

MacDonald was held without bail pending his arraignment, which was due to occur Wednesday at Lowell District Court.