Man accused of intentionally throwing thousands of construction screws along busy Massachusetts highway

A man is facing charges after police say he intentionally dumped thousands of construction screws along a busy Massachusetts road, damaging many vehicles’ tires.

According to the Freetown Police Department, Peter Vasconcellos, 56, of Freetown, was arrested Tuesday on charges including operating a vehicle after their license was revoked, operating a vehicle with a revoked registration, and uninsured operation.

Vasconcellos reportedly set the screws along a heavily used area of South Main Street in Freetown’s Assonet Village during the last few weeks. Officers first became aware of the issue after a repair shop reported an unusual increase in customers with flat tires.

“As a result, vehicles traveling along this section have sustained damaged tires and the town’s highway department has spent a great deal of time removing screws from the roadway,” the department said in a news release.

During the weeks-long stretch, Charles Macomber, a surveyor with the Freetown Highway Department, said his crew would sweep the road at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

“Every time we would come up with screws,” Macomber said. According to police, a search of Vasconcellos’ vehicle turned up screws in a driver’s door compartment and an open box of screws behind the center console.

“The screws are identical to those recovered from the roadway,” police said. Vasconcellos also lives on the road where the screws were found, according to police.

Anyone whose car was damaged while traveling down South Main Street is advised to call Detectives Patrick Lee or Kelley at 508-763-4017.