DA: Guy who crashed carjacked vehicle in Dorchester after high-speed chase had just been released on probation for Fields Corner crime spree

A man who had been released on probation just two weeks ago rather than going to jail for a series of crimes in Fields Corner was back in court today for arraignment on a variety of charges stemming from a car crash at Morrissey Boulevard and Freeport Street yesterday.

Thanh Le, 50, was arraigned in Dorchester Municipal Court on charges of receiving a stolen property and other offenses for yesterday's crash, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports, adding police are still investigating how Le came to be driving a car that had been reported stolen in a carjacking last week.

Le last appeared in Dorchester court two weeks earlier, when he pleaded guilty to charges for a series of crimes over several months that included receiving a stolen motor vehicle, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny and possession of a Class B substance, the DA's office reports.

Prosecutors recommended that Le be sentenced to two years in the House of Corrections following by two years of probation, during which time he be ordered to undergo substance use disorder treatment, mental health evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary and to remain drug- and alcohol-free subject to random screens.

Judge Jonathan Tynes imposed a term of three years of probation and two years in the House of Correction, suspended for a probationary term of three years. He imposed all of the probation conditions recommended by prosecutors.

The DA's office provided this account of what happened yesterday:

In his new case, Le caught the attention of a Massachusetts State Police Trooper after he was observed reversing a gray Toyota Camry while operating the wrong way on an exit ramp of Interstate 93 N. At the time, he was wearing a ski mask and sunglasses, which together concealed his entire face.

A search of the vehicle’s license plate revealed that it had been reported stolen during a June 7 carjacking in the area of St. Williams Street and Dorchester Avenue.

The Trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, which sped away at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, prompting the Trooper to discontinue a pursuit. At that time, the vehicle failed to navigate a turn in the roadway, driving onto a curb and striking another vehicle. Le fled the vehicle on foot. During a foot pursuit, he stopped and faced the Trooper while holding a glass pipe in one hand and concealing his other hand in his pocket. During the confrontation, Le was Tased. After being taken into custody, he was transported to an area hospital.

Acting DA Kevin Hayden was not happy. In a statement, he said:

Less than two weeks ago we recommended incarceration for Le because his aberrant behavior posed an immediate and ongoing threat to the Fields Corner community. The presiding judge disagreed. Now, less than two weeks later, Le is back in court after an extremely dangerous high-speed chase.

Innocent, etc.