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In the 351 cities and towns, Massachusetts State Troopers use their training and skill to navigate a variety of circumstances that often present significant danger to themselves and others. In an effort to raise greater awareness of their work, the Department periodically shares incident summaries.
Each summary reflects a small portion of the Department’s work to strengthen public safety, collaborate with our partners, and build positive relationships in the communities we serve.
For the integrity of ongoing criminal cases and in the interest of each subject’s privacy, we have removed personally identifying information from the narratives as well as information not subject to public disclosure. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Discovering False Registration and VIN Sticker
Troopers from the Andover Barracks conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle displaying a fabricated temporary registration plate. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle also displayed a forged VIN sticker. After the operator disclosed that they rented the vehicle through a social media application, Troopers seized the vehicle. The matter remains under investigation.
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Investigating and Identifying Individuals who Provide False Identification
Troopers from the Andover Barracks encountered a vehicle that they were familiar with because of an earlier hit and run crash investigation. During the initial investigation, the passengers provided false names to police and were non-compliant. Troopers subsequently identified the individuals and determined that they had several outstanding warrants.
During the second encounter, police stopped the vehicle after recognizing the same passengers. Three individuals were arrested for class A, B, and E substances, which were found on their persons and in the vehicle.
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Recovering Firearms that Pose a Threat
Troopers responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 3 in Chelmsford where the operator of vehicle was evasive and unable to provide proper documentation for the vehicle he had allegedly just purchased. During a search of the car, Troopers located a Kel-Tec firearm with a 31-round magazine. Troopers placed the operator in custody for firearm charges.
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Following Up on a Hit and Run
A new trooper from the 91st Recruit Training Troop on break in and their trooper coach responded to a hit and run crash on Revere Beach Parkway in Chelsea. On scene, the victims provided State Police with statements, the license plate of the vehicle that fled the scene, and a description of the driver.
Using the information, the Troopers responded to the address of the registered owner where they located the vehicle. The vehicle’s damage was consistent with the crash and owner matched the victims’ description. Troopers discovered an outstand warrant against the unlicensed owner-operator and placed him in custody. As Troopers escorted the man to their cruiser for transport, he became unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.
After transporting the man to the Revere Barracks, the man admitted to driving at the time of the crash.
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Deploying Star Chase and K-9 Resources
Troopers deployed a Star Chase tracking device onto a fleeing vehicle during a pursuit on Route 24. Pursuant to policy, the Trooper terminated the pursuit immediately and remotely tracked the vehicle to its destination where the operator fled on foot.
Troopers identified a suspected operator who they knew had several felony warrants for his arrest. Troopers set up a perimeter in the area while a K-9 team searched using the driver’s seat cushion as a scent. The K-9 led Troopers down a street and over a backyard fence when he displayed a proximity alert. Troopers entered the fenced area where they quickly located the suspect hiding under a large bush. He was taken into custody without incident.
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Identifying Credit Card Fraud Linked to Multiple Crimes
Local police requested State Police assistance in responding to a suspect using a stolen credit card to purchase of a storage trailer valued at $4,000 fraudulently. The suspect also used the stolen credit card to hire a tow operator from Boston to transport the trailer.
Investigating troopers and officers used their training and skill to connect this crime to other active cases across New England. The full extent of the fraud remains under active investigation.
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Apprehending a Violent Person Driving Dangerously
Local police requested State Police assistance on an increased patrol initiative in their community. During the patrol, Troopers initiated a traffic stop after observing an operator using a handheld cell phone. During the stop, Troopers identified the operator who was unlicensed and had active felony warrants for strangulation as well as domestic assault and battery. Troopers placed the man under arrest without incident, inventoried his vehicle, and seized 9 millimeter ammunition that they discovered.
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Identifying License Plate Defect Leads to Narcotics Arrest
Late in the evening this week, a Trooper conducting a traffic stop for license plate and vehicle equipment violations discovered the operator’s driver’s license was suspended. After additional Troopers arrived to assist, a search of the vehicle was conducted where they located over a pound of Marijuana along with a large amount of fake US currency. Troopers also discovered fraudulent vehicle inspection stickers taped to the windshield. The operator was placed under arrest and charged with vehicle and narcotic offenses.
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Arresting Drug Traffickers Driving with Revoked Registration
One afternoon this week, Troopers on patrol performed a random query of a motor vehicle license plate and discovered the registration was revoked. The Troopers stopped the vehicle, identified the operator, and wrote a citation. During the stop, the operator hunched over and reach under his seat causing the Troopers to remove him from the vehicle. During a frisk, Troopers located a knotted bag containing crack cocaine, along with three additional plastic bags containing heroin. The operator was placed under arrest for narcotics and vehicle violations without incident.
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Arrest of One Leads to Pursuit of Two More
A Trooper stopped a vehicle for driving violations and arrested the operator who had multiple warrants and a suspended license. As the Trooper secured the operator in the rear of his cruiser, two passengers fled from the vehicle on foot. The Trooper initiated a foot pursuit and, after an extensive search involving multiple units, one of the subjects was found and placed under arrest.
State Police are actively investigating the whereabouts of the second passenger after a subsequent investigation determined that they have several active warrants for assault with intent to murder.
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Stolen Erratic Vehicle with Suspended Driver
While patrolling Interstate 93 in Medford, a Trooper observed a vehicle approaching an active construction site operating erratically. Recognizing the potential danger to the work crew, the Trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens to stop the vehicle. The vehicle accelerated, struck a traffic barrel, crossed several lanes aggressively, exited the highway, and stopped at the bottom of the ramp. Unsure why the driver was operating in such a dangerous manner, Troopers gave verbal orders to the operator and passenger to exit the vehicle. Troopers subsequently learned that the operator’s license was suspended, and the vehicle was stolen. Both of the vehicle’s occupants were taken into custody without incident.
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Repeat Intoxicated Driver
While on patrol, Troopers stopped a vehicle for a marked lane violation. Once the vehicle stopped, the Troopers approached and spoke with the driver who appeared nervous and had a difficult time locating his wallet, which was in his back pocket. The Troopers noticed signs of alcohol impairment and suspected that the operator might be intoxicated. They removed him from the vehicle and conducted field sobriety testing, noting a preliminary breath test reading of more than double the legal limit to drive. The driver failed the tests and was placed under arrest without incident before being transported to a barracks. During the booking process, Troopers learned that this arrest was the man’s third arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.
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Well-Being Check Ends in Altercation and Arrest
A Trooper traveling home from an assigned shift observed a white van stopped in the breakdown lane on Route 128 in Beverly. As the Trooper stopped behind the van to conduct a well-being check, he noticed signs of driver impairment and asked the driver to exit the vehicle. After further observation and a failed field sobriety test, the Trooper placed the driver under arrest.
In the ensuing, chaotic six minutes, the man violently resisted arrest. The driver and the Trooper fell to the ground several times as the Trooper attempted to gain control. The altercation ended when the Trooper rose to his feet, used his training and skill, and restrained the man. With the assistance of local police, the Trooper placed the driver under arrest.
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Troopers Make Life-Saving Assist with AED
The Lanesboro Police Department requested State Police assistance to respond to a home where a woman in her 60s was reported unresponsive. Once on scene, Troopers entered the residence, located the woman in medical crisis, and determined she had no pulse. Using their training and skill, Troopers deployed the Automated External Defibrillator in their cruiser. A short time later, the Troopers were able to detect a pulse before EMS personnel assumed medical care and transported her to a local hospital.
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Erratic Driving Leads to Arrest for Stolen Goods
While on patrol of Interstate 495 in Bolton, a Trooper observed a vehicle driving erratically and swerving out of its lane that nearly struck his cruiser. After initiating a traffic stop, the Trooper discovered the driver was unlicensed and placed them under arrest.
The Trooper asked the vehicle’s two passengers if either person was properly licensed so they could drive the vehicle from the scene and avoid a costly tow – though neither was. One of the passengers was under investigation in New Jersey for shoplifting, use of anti-shoplifting device, and knowingly exhibiting a false ID.
As the vehicle was being prepared to be towed from the scene, Troopers inventoried its contents and found several bags of Adidas, Polo, and Puma clothes on store hangers with the anti-shoplifting devices attached. They also located several Coach purses and a ledger for the aforementioned items with the quantity and their value. The estimated total of the seized merchandise was nearly $22,000.
For their part in the stolen goods, both passengers were arrested.
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Man Arrested Driving Intoxicated for the 4th Time
While patrolling Route 20 in Sturbridge, Troopers initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle driving erratically. Troopers noticed several signs of impairment and suspected the driver of operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI). After Troopers administered field sobriety testing and arrested the man without incident, they discovered a very troubling pattern. This driver never obtained permission to operate the vehicle from its owner; he drove despite having his license revoked as a habitual traffic offender; he incurred his fourth OUI offense during this incident; and he violated ignition interlock requirements imposed on him by state law.
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Three Arrested with Firearms, Narcotics
Shortly after midnight on December 9, a Trooper patrolling Route 140 in Lakeville conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle with excessive window tint. When the Trooper queried the license plate, they discovered that a person who was stopped in this vehicle on a prior occasion had a warrant for his arrest.
After approaching the vehicle, the Trooper was able to identify the front seat passenger as the man with the warrant and requested backup from Lakeville Police. Police took the passenger into custody and discovered a large quantity of cocaine in his pocket during a standard search.
Police then removed driver from the vehicle and discovered a firearm with an extended magazine on his person and an additional firearm with an extended magazine under the front passenger seat.
The vehicle stop resulted in the arrest of three individuals without incident for firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses.
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Troopers Thwart Human Trafficking Scheme
On the afternoon of December 7, a family alerted State Police of a female relative in imminent danger who may have fallen victim to a human trafficking scam. The woman reportedly left home for a bus terminal with the goal of flying abroad to a man she met online. The individual abroad purchased a ticket for the victim and instructed her to board the bus at Boston’s South Station and meet two men at the out-of-state destination.
Troopers attempted to meet the victim at South Station, but the bus departed. State Police located the bus on Interstate 90 and initiated a traffic stop. Troopers boarded the bus where they located the victim and transported her to a barracks where she was reunited with her family.
The matter remains under investigation by the State Police High Risk Victims Unit with the cooperation of the woman and her family.
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State Police K-9 Locates Endangered Woman
Agawam Police requested the assistance of State Police K-9 in searching for a woman in crisis,
Using an article of her clothing as a scent track, the State Police K-9 searched the area surrounding the woman’s residence, down the street to a cul-de-sac, and over to the yard of another home where the K-9 showed a proximity alert. As the K-9 pulled the team towards the rear of the house, the Trooper saw white shoes underneath a bush where police located the woman. Agawam Police tended to the missing woman and facilitated her transport to a local hospital.
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