Troopers confiscate drugs, gun from driver with child sleeping in backseat, police say
The 28-year-old Connecticut man was arrested on several gun, drug, and motor vehicle charges, as well as reckless child endangerment.
State police pulled over a 28-year-old Connecticut man for speeding in Marlborough early Tuesday morning and found he had narcotics and an illegally owned handgun, authorities said in a news release. His 5-year-old son was sleeping in the backseat.
Around 3:40 a.m., Trooper Kurt D’Angelo of the K9 Unit was patrolling Interstate 290 eastbound when he reportedly clocked a Volkswagen Atlas traveling more than 20 mph over the 40 mph speed limit.
Police said the SUV then took the I-495 North onramp and partially crossed over the solid white line on the passenger side.
After D’Angelo activated his emergency lights and stopped the SUV in the breakdown lane, police said he discovered that the vehicle was a rental and the driver, Anthony Oliver of Stratford, was not the person who rented it.
The SUV was supposed to have been returned to the rental company on Monday, authorities said.
Another man was sitting in the front passenger seat, police reported, and Oliver’s son was sleeping in the back.
Trooper Justin Antoon responded to the scene to help, and, after observing Oliver’s “suspicious and nervous behavior,” troopers removed him from the driver’s seat, the release said.
“Once outside the SUV, Oliver continued his nervous and erratic behavior. While conducting a pat frisk of Oliver, Trooper D’Angelo found in his left pocket a clear tube filled with a substance believed to be marijuana and rolling papers,” state police said.
After Oliver reportedly ignored commands to keep his hands on his vehicle, thrusting his right hand into his pants pocket, troopers grabbed his arms and removed his hand.
“The suspect began to flail and kick and was attempting to remove what appeared to the Troopers to be a hard object from his right pocket,” police said. “In fear for their safety, the Troopers brought Oliver to the ground and secured and handcuffed him.”
Antoon then reportedly removed a small silver revolver, which was loaded with five cartridges, from Oliver’s right pocket.
As things unfolded, police said the passenger who was still sitting in the SUV became “unruly” and hung his head out his window. Troopers said they checked the passenger and found no weapons or contraband on him.
“While searching the SUV’s rear cargo compartment, Troopers located a zipper pouch containing an additional 26 .32 Smith & Wesson cartridges, as well as cellophane packaging containing a large quantity of a powdery white rock-like substance believed to be cocaine or fentanyl,” state police said in the release. “A further search of the vehicle led to the discovery of six pink star-shaped tablets believed to be ecstasy.”
Oliver was arrested and brought to the State Police Leominster Barracks, where he was booked on several gun, drug, and motor vehicle charges, as well as reckless child endangerment.
Police said the young boy was also taken to the barracks where they discovered that Oliver had full custody of the child. A family member arrived at the barracks later, taking custody of the boy, authorities added.
“Troopers contacted Connecticut’s child welfare agency and notified it of the arrest so appropriate intervention can be made for the child’s well-being,” police said.
The passenger faces no charges, the SUV was towed and impounded from the scene, and Oliver is expected to be arraigned through Marlborough District Court.
https://twitter.com/MassStatePolice/status/1260288858073284608
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