Brighton police arrested 31-year-old Divon Markell Goodman early Tuesday after a brief pursuit ended with a struggle in a snow-covered alley, where officers took him into custody and recovered property they believe is tied to multiple motor-vehicle break-ins. One officer suffered a non-life-threatening arm injury during the arrest, officials said. Goodman was expected to be charged in Brighton District Court and was also held on several outstanding warrants as the neighborhood contends with a recent uptick in vehicle break-ins.
Response and search
Around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers from District D-14 responded to reports of motor-vehicle breaks near Leo M. Birmingham Parkway after a victim reported that two company vehicles had been entered and property taken, according to Boston 25 News. Not long after, officers were alerted to a person seen checking vehicle door handles in the area and moved in to investigate.
How the arrest unfolded
Responding units soon spotted a man matching the description on Lincoln Street. "As officers approached, the suspect ran away," Boston 25 News reported. After a short chase through the snow, officers said they caught up with Goodman in an alley, where a struggle followed before he was taken into custody and property believed to be linked to the reported incidents was recovered.
During the arrest, police said, one officer sustained a non-life-threatening arm injury. Goodman is expected to face two counts of breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, as well as charges of receiving stolen property and resisting arrest. He was also booked on a number of outstanding warrants, authorities said.
Police warn of a recent spike
The case comes on the heels of a Boston Police Department community alert issued in January that warned of a "recent uptick" in larcenies from motor vehicles across District D-14 and urged residents to lock their cars and keep valuables out of sight. The alert lists District D-14 detectives as the contact for tips and outlines anonymous reporting options through CrimeStoppers, including a hotline and text service, according to the Boston Police Department.
Charges and next steps
Goodman was also arrested on outstanding warrants tied to prior alleged offenses; Cambridge police logs show a warrant arrest for Goodman in May 2025. He is expected to be arraigned at the Brighton Division of the Boston Municipal Court, per court listings.
Anyone with information about the recent break-ins is asked to contact District D-14 detectives at (617) 343-4256. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS or text TIP to CRIME (27463), according to the police alert.
