Firearm recovered after two New Hampshire men fled from police, causing property damage

BOSTON, August 7, 2023 – Two men were arraigned Friday in Dorchester BMC on illegal firearm and reckless operation charges after they drove through a fence and crashed into a tree while fleeing from police, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

ISIAH CALDEN, 20, of Manchester, NH was charged with possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and trespassing. Judge Jonathan Tynes ordered Calden held on $10,000 bail.

XAVIER MOREL, 21, of Hillsboro, NH was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (car), failure to stop, reckless operation, and three counts of leaving the scene of property damage. Tynes ordered Morel held on $7,500 bail.

Both Calden and Morel are due back in court on August 25 for a probable cause hearing.

At about 3:42 a.m. on August 4, officers patrolling on Circuit Drive in Dorchester encountered a group of about 150 people and 50 vehicles. While dispersing the group, officers observed a black Toyota RAV4 with New Hampshire license plates driving on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street.  Officers followed the vehicle to perform a traffic stop. The driver pulled over briefly before fleeing. Officers followed the vehicle across Blue Hill Avenue down Glenway Street. The driver lost control while making an illegal turn in the wrong direction down Page Street, then crashed through a fence and into a small tree in a yard on Glenway Street.

Officers observed a passenger, later identified as Calden, jump out of the vehicle and run behind the Glenway Street home. The driver, later identified as Morel, put the vehicle in reverse, striking a police cruiser and an officer with the driver’s side door. Morel then began to drive back down Glenway Street toward Harvard Street.  Officers broadcasted the direction of flight along with a description of the driver.

The officer suffered minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. 

Officers searched for Calden in the yard and heard rustling and someone call out “I’m right here.” Officers observed Calden laying in the grass with a small plastic bag of green leafy substance, a small plastic bag of brown powder and a lighter next to him. Officers then observed a black .40-caliber Glock 22 handgun loaded with a round in the chamber and 13 rounds in the magazine. Calden denied the firearm belonged to him and said the driver threw it before fleeing the scene. He later admitted to possessing the gun. 

Officers soon found Morel’s vehicle abandoned on Greenwood Street. Officers with the assistance of a K-9 located Morel in a nearby yard. Officers learned during the investigation that Morel, who admitted being the driver, had also struck a wall on Glenway Street and a vehicle at the corner of Glenway and Brenton streets.

“This is another example of the ongoing quality of life issues our residents have concerns about--unauthorized large gatherings, reckless operation of vehicles, and of course, illegal firearms. To flee from the police in such a reckless manner, damaging various properties and putting our residents and officers in danger, will not be tolerated. I commend the police for their continued work to keep our communities safe. I am grateful the officer’s injuries were minor and another firearm has been recovered,” Hayden said.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications