Massachusetts State Police arrest four in stolen sedan, seize firearms, narcotics

On Friday, July 23, just before 6:30 p.m. Trooper R.T. Tryon, assigned to the State Police-South Boston Barracks, observed a blue Nissan Altima with Maine plates on Morrissey Boulevard repeatedly fail to signal as it made its way into the Harbor Point neighborhood in South Boston. The Trooper’s electronic query revealed the car had been reported stolen out of Augusta, Maine. Trooper Tryon activated his blue lights and stopped the Altima, then removed the driver from the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs. The driver was informed he was under arrest.

Trooper Tryon was assisted by Sergeant Eric Papkee and Troopers Seamus Kent, Terrence Kent, Michael Lynch, and Nicholas Donnini. Troopers removed the three remaining occupants from the stolen vehicle. While doing so, Trooper Tryon made note of various quantities of packaged marijuana, and a large quantity of bundled cash resting on the rear seat.

Trooper Tryon began a search of the vehicle and, almost immediately, discovered loose trim panels on the driver’s door. When he touched the window switch, the trim piece detached, revealing the grip of a firearm. None of the four men possess a license to carry a firearm.

Two firearms (one loaded), two high capacity magazines, and 34 rounds were found in the front driver’s door panel.

In the rear driver’s side door panel Trooper Tryon found a loaded firearm, a magazine, 46 grams of heroin, and 64 grams of cocaine.

Trooper Donnini, searching the rear passenger side door, located a loaded firearm and high capacity magazine inside the panel.

All four men — driver HERBERT SMALL, 29, of Norwood; front passenger AUSTIN DILLON, 34, of Dorchester; right rear passenger JASHAUN BENALFEW, 18, of Charlestown; and left rear passenger ODUAGBON OMOROGBE, 25, of Mattapan — were transported to the South Boston Barracks and booked.

SMALL was scheduled to appear in Dorchester District Court on the following charges:

01. A Firearm Violation with 1 prior Violent Drug/Crime;
02. Possession of a Firearm (4 Counts);
03. Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon or Feeding Device (3 Counts);
04. Possess Firearm in Felony;
05. Possess Ammunition without FID Card;
06. Trafficking Cocaine;
07. Trafficking Heroin;
08. Possess with Intent to Distribute Class D;
09. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle; and
10. Failure to Signal (2 Counts).

DILLON was scheduled to appear in Dorchester District Court on charges of:

01. A Firearm Violation with 1 prior Violent Drug/Crime;
02. Possession of a Firearm Subsequent Offense (4 Counts);
03. Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon or Feeding Device (3 Counts);
04. A Possess Firearm in Felony;
05. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card Subsequent Offense;
06. Trafficking Cocaine;
07. Trafficking Heroin;
08. Possess with Intent to Distribute Class D; and
09. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle.

BENALFEW was scheduled to appear in Dorchester District Court on charges of:

01. Possession of a Firearm (4 Counts);
02. Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon or Feeding Device (3 Counts);
03. A Possess Firearm in Felony;
04. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
05. Trafficking Cocaine;
06. Trafficking Heroin;
07. Possess with Intent to Distribute Class D; and
08. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle.

ODUAGBON was scheduled to appear in Dorchester District Court on charges of:

01. Possession of a Firearm (4 Counts);
02. Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon or Feeding Device (3 Counts);
03. A Possess Firearm in Felony;
04. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
05. Trafficking Cocaine;
06. Trafficking Heroin;
07. Possess with Intent to Distribute Class D; and
08. Receive Stolen Motor Vehicle.