CHARLTON, MA – On November 4th, at approximately 3 p.m. Trooper James Melberg, assigned to State Police Charlton, was patrolling Route 90. While stationary at the interchange to Route 84 he observed a gray Mercedes sedan with New Jersey license plates. A quick RMV inquiry of the license plate revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen on Monday in New York.
Trooper Melberg quickly caught up to the vehicle and activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop.
The vehicle initially stopped on Route 90 eastbound just in front of the Charlton Barracks but almost immediately reentered traffic and fled the stop at a high rate of speed. Trooper Melberg began a pursuit of the vehicle, assisted by Trooper Matthew Gray. Due to the unsafe conditions and operation of the vehicle Trooper Melberg self-terminated the pursuit and lost sight of the Mercedes. Numerous other State Police cruisers canvased the area in an attempt to locate the vehicle.
After a search of the area Trooper Jeffrey Nye located the vehicle parked in a shopping center parking lot in Worcester. Troopers were able to make contact with members of building security who provided video footage of the Mercedes parking and three men exiting. After a short search of the parking lot Troopers located the three men and placed them under arrest.
After the three men were secured, Troopers focused their attention on the vehicle. During a search of the Mercedes Trooper Melberg located a bag containing a loaded Glock 42 pistol; none of the men had a license to carry firearms. After further inspection of the bag Trooper Melberg located two large packages of pressed white powdery substance stamped with a “crown.” This substance is suspected to be cocaine and weighed a combined total of two kilograms.
The men were transported to State Police-Charlton where they were booked. They were later transported to Worcester District Court where they were arraigned on the following charges.
MANUEL PIMENTEL, 18, of New York, N.Y.
1. Receive Stolen Property over $1200;
2. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
3. Possession of a Firearm;
4. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
5. Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony;
6. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
7. Trafficking in Cocaine; and
8. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle.
EDISON BAEZ, 20, of Port Jefferson, N.Y.
1. Receive Stolen Property over $1200;
2. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
3. Possession of a Firearm;
4. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
5. Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony;
6. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
7. Trafficking in Cocaine; and
8. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle.
BRIAN HERNANDEZ, 21, of New York, N.Y.
1. Receive Stolen Property over $1200;
2. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
3. Possession of a Firearm;
4. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
5. Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony;
6. Trafficking in Cocaine; and
7. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle.
