Two men were arrested, one after a multi-town highway car chase, following reports of an assault Thursday morning, according to Mansfield police.

Police said they received a 911 call just after 9 a.m. of two men involved in an assault in the parking lot of a Francis Avenue apartment complex. Upon arrival, they said they recognized William Poirier, 60, and Stephen Poirier, 29, who are both homeless, getting into a silver Toyota Corolla, which police said also had a revoked registration.

Stephen Poirier also had active warrants for arrest, police said.

After stopping the car, police said they attempted to arrest the younger Poirier, but that “a brief struggle ensued,” resulting in a minor injury to one of the Mansfield police officers. While they attempted to regain control of the situation, police said William Poirer, who had been driving the car, fled in the Corolla.


Police said they sent out a radio alert to surrounding departments of the fleeing driver and that Norton police shortly thereafter announced they had located and were pursuing the car. From there, the pursuit continued through Norton into Taunton, and then onto I-495 southbound.

It was on I-495, near Exit 8 to Route 138, where officials say Raynham and Massachusetts State Police laid down spike strips or “stop sticks,” which eventually brought Poirier to a halt. He was taken into custody by Norton police, with assistance from state police, and transported to Morton Hospital in Taunton for an evaluation.

According to Mansfield police, William Poirier was charged with operating a motor vehicle with revoked registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to obey police, and disorderly conduct. Further charges with be filed against him by Norton, Taunton, and state police, officials said.

Stephen Poirier, who was taken to Attleboro District Court, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, as well as the existing warrants.

The injured Mansfield officer was treated by local firefighters and returned to work later in the shift, police said.