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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.
Ordinary Traffic Stop Leads to Seizure of Nearly a Kilogram of Narcotics, Firearm
Shortly after starting their evening shift, a Trooper assigned to the Troop B Community Action Team initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Holyoke after observing a vehicle following the car in front of it too closely. While speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, the Trooper developed probable cause that narcotics may be inside.
During his investigation, the Trooper requested K-9 assistance on scene. A Trooper assigned to the K-9 section responded with K-9 Tucker who began a “sniff” along the exterior and interior of the vehicle. During the sniff, K-9 Tucker alerted to an area under a seat where Troopers quickly located a loaded handgun. After a full search of the vehicle, Troopers located a duffle bag containing 765 grams of Cocaine and 175 grams of Fentanyl. Three occupants in the vehicle were placed under arrest without incident and transported to the barracks for booking.
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Driver of Disabled Vehicle Arrested after Foot Pursuit
Nearing the end of an evening shift, a Trooper assigned to the Springfield Barracks stopped to check on the occupants of a disabled vehicle on Route 91 in Chicopee. While speaking to the driver, the Trooper observed Cocaine in plain view and quickly attempted to place him under arrest. While removing him from the vehicle, a struggle ensued and the driver fled the scene on foot.
Additional Troopers in the area responded and the team deployed a K-9 from the point-last-seen on a scent track. The K-9 tracked over a snowbank into the woods, through thick thorns along a deer fence, and showed a proximity alert at the top of a hill. The team of Troopers observed the driver hiding in a thorn bush and they attempted to take him into custody without further incident. The driver failed to cooperative requiring Troopers to carry him out of the woods.
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Traffic Stop for Texting-While-Driving Yields to Seizure of Narcotics
A Trooper assigned to the Russell Barracks stopped a vehicle after observing the driver using a handheld electronic device. During their conversation, the Trooper observed signs of the presence of narcotics and questioned the driver about it. The driver cooperated with Troopers who searched and located a large amount of cash, wax baggies containing Heroin, and Crack Cocaine.
The driver was placed under arrest for Trafficking Cocaine, among other narcotics charges.
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Driver Arrested for 5th Offense of Intoxicated Operation after Crash
In the late hours of an evening shift, two Troopers assigned to the Athol Barracks were dispatched to a two-car crash on Route 2 westbound in Templeton. During the 911 call, dispatchers overheard a person, later discovered to be the driver of one of the involved vehicles, aggressively yelling at the 911 caller.
Upon arriving on scene, the Troopers began to investigate the cause of the crash and quickly determined that one of the drivers was intoxicated and found that his license was previously revoked by the RMV after having been determined a Habitual Traffic Offender. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to a barracks for booking.
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Erratic Driver Arrested with Narcotics
Shortly before midnight, a Trooper assigned to the Bourne Barracks was patrolling Depot Street in Wareham when he stopped a vehicle after observing the driver commit several infractions. Before approaching the vehicle to speak with the driver, the Trooper discovered the owner’s license was suspended due to an Immediate Threat finding by the RMV for prior offenses.
The Trooper confirmed the driver was in fact the owner, then placed her under arrest. After removing her from the vehicle, the Trooper located approximately 50 small plastic bags containing Heroin, along with a variety of illegally possessed prescription medications in the vehicle. The driver was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the barracks for booking.
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Driver with Suspended License Arrested with Narcotics
During the early afternoon hours on a Sunday day shift, a Trooper assigned to the Troop D Community Action Team stopped a vehicle on Cove Road in New Bedford. While speaking to the driver, the Trooper learned his license to operate a vehicle was suspended, leading him to be placed under arrest.
During a search of the vehicle, a shoe box was located containing multiple wax bundles of Heroin. He was placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Dartmouth Barracks for booking on narcotic and motor vehicle related offenses charges.
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