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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.
SERT Assists in Locating Missing Man
During the morning hours of a day shift, members of the Ware Police Department requested assistance in the search for a missing 54-year-old man who was last seen leaving his residence the prior morning. Luckily, members of the State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) were together for a full-team medical training at the State Police Academy. As soon as the request for assistance came in, the Team responded.
After gathering citizen reports of sightings, and viewing camera footage in the area, search teams narrowed their focus. Eventually, a SERT member located fresh footprints in the snow entering a wooded area towards the Quabbin Reservoir. State Police K-9 joined SERT members in a thorough search, following footprints and other clues for more than 90 minutes.
Shortly after 4 p.m., State Police located the missing man laying on the ground conscious, but hypothermic. Police rendered first aid and prepared the man for transport on a handheld stretcher. A joint team of SERT members, Hardwick Police, and Ware Fire carried the man to safety.
Officials from the Department of Conservation and Recreation met the team with a truck to transport the man out of the woods where a West Brookfield Ambulance was standing by.
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Intoxicated Driver Arrested, Replica Police Equipment Found in Vehicle
A Trooper assigned to the Medford Barracks stopped an erratic vehicle and subsequently placed the driver under arrest for operating her vehicle while intoxicated. During an inventory of the vehicle, the Trooper located a Glock replica style BB Gun and holster, replica police badge, police radio, and a bullet proof vest.
When questioned about the items, the driver had no logical explanation for possessing them. After the arrest, the Trooper conducted a follow up investigation, coordinating with numerous outside agencies, to gather any reports of possible police impersonation incidents.
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Traffic Stop for Marked Lanes Violation Leads to Seizure of Narcotics
A Trooper assigned to the Northampton Barracks observing a driver make several marked lanes violations on Interstate 91 in Northampton. After initiating a traffic stop and identifying the driver, the Trooper quickly learned he was not properly licensed. The Trooper removed the man from the vehicle and placed him under arrest.
Prior to the vehicle being towed from the scene, the Trooper conducted an inventory of its contents and seized approximately 900 wax bags containing Heroin as well as a small amount of Crack Cocaine.
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Driver with Decade-old Suspended License Arrested with Narcotics
A Trooper assigned to the Sturbridge Barracks conducted a traffic stop on Route 84 after observing a vehicle with no front license plate. After identifying the driver, the Trooper learned that his driver’s license was been suspended in 2015. The driver was promptly placed under arrest and secured in a cruiser for transport.
Back at the barracks during booking, the Trooper searched the driver and detected a protrusion from below his waistband. The contents of the item were identified as cocaine with a weight nearing 100 grams.
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Man Arrested in Airport Garage after Rash of Break-ins
In recent weeks, Troopers have responded to several vehicle break-ins in the Logan Airport parking garages and have made efforts to maintain an increased presence there.
As part of this work, a Trooper was conducting a patrol of the Terminal B garage when he witnessed a man acting suspiciously. When the Trooper drew closer, the man fled on foot, but was eventually located and detained.
With the man detained, Troopers identified him and discovered he had been arrested in connection with other break-ins at the Airport.
On this occasion, Troopers placed the man under arrest when they found him in possession of narcotics and an item believed to be from a vehicle which had just been broken into. State Police transported the man to the Barracks for booking without further incident.
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Unlicensed Driver Arrested Trafficking Fentanyl
During an afternoon traffic stop, a Trooper assigned to the Boston Barracks encountered a driver who was unlicensed. An investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of 10 knotted bags, each containing various amounts of Fentanyl with a combined weight of nearly 40 grams.
Fentanyl is a synthetic drug that can be up to 50 times more powerful than Heroin. At this strength, 40 grams can be a lethal dose to many people.
The driver was charged with trafficking Fentanyl in addition to various vehicle related offenses.
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MSP K-9 Assists Local PD in Search for Driver who Fled Traffic Stop
In the mid-morning hours of a dayshift, a Trooper assigned to the State Police K-9 section responded to assist Millbury Police who requested assistance in the search for a man who fled from a vehicle after a pursuit.
Once on scene, the Trooper’s K-9 acquired the man’s sent and tracked him from the vehicle, past a residence, and along a trail until showing a proximity alert. The K-9 pulled up a hill into thick brush, where he located the driver.
The suspect was placed under arrest by Millbury Officers.
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