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On Tuesday, February 21, 2006, at about 3:35 p.m., an undercover Bristol County Deputy Sheriff requested State Police assistance in stopping a 2005 Nissan on Route 495 North in Middleboro. The Deputy Sheriff had developed information that the Nissan's passenger was wanted on warrants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. When troopers from the State Police Barracks in Middleboro stopped the Nissan on Route 495 North in the area of the Taunton River, the passenger fled on foot; the operator of the Nissan was placed into custody and transported to the State Police barracks in Middleboro for booking.
The State Police immediately began a search of the area for the passenger with the assistance of the State Police Canine Unit, the Middleboro Police Department, the Lakeville Police Department, the Taunton Police Department and the Raynham Police Department. At about 4:25 p.m., Trooper Joseph Baker located the subject partially submerged in the river as he clung to brush along the bank. The subject was so cold and fatigued that he was unable to pull himself from the river. Trooper Baker, who is also a member of the State Police Dive Team, donned his dry-suit, entered the water and recovered the subject from the water. The subject was taken into custody and transported to the State Police barracks Middleboro for booking. During the investigation of this incident, State Police recovered: $155,000 in cash; over 200 grams of a substance believed to be cocaine; and a .22 calibre handgun.
The passenger was charged with: Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law; Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams; Possession of Ammunition without an Firearms Identification Card; Possessing a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number; Carrying a Firearm without a License; Being a Fugitive from Justice.
The driver was charged with: Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law; Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams; Possession of Ammunition without an Firearms Identification Card; Possessing a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number; and Carrying a Firearm without a License.