Freetown officer quarantined after being spat on

FREETOWN — A Freetown police officer is in quarantine after a suspect being placed under arrest spit in the officer's face, according to a news release from Police Chief Carlton E. Abbott Jr.

On Saturday, May 2 about 10:30 a.m., a Freetown police officer stopped a car on South Main Street after determining that the driver was operating with a suspended license.

Fearing that the driver was about to flee, the officer ordered him to step out of the car, Abbott said in the release.

According to the officer, the driver became uncooperative and subsequently resisted attempts to place him under arrest. Also, after being placed in handcuffs the driver continued to resist and spat at the officer’s face.

Leo A. Dutra, age 40, of New Bedford, was charged with operating after license suspended, assault and battery upon a police officer, and resisting arrest. He was released on personal recognizance and will be arraigned in the Fall River District Court at a future date, Abbott noted in the release.

Due to information brought to the department’s attention, the officer has been placed on quarantine, Abbott noted in the release.