Police arrest man near Fall River and Tiverton line on drug and gun charges

Police arrested a man near the Fall River and Tiverton line on drug and gun charges Sunday.

According to Tiverton Police, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Officer Jason Kobelecki observed a black 2014 Chevrolet Equinox traveling south on William S. Canning Boulevard. The vehicle left its lane of travel crossing the northbound lane and drove towards the sidewalk. The vehicle then began traveling in the northbound travel lane towards oncoming traffic. Officer Kobelecki conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Stateline Tobacco Convenience Store.

Two male passengers, one of which was later identified as 30-year-old Justin Wheeler, of Garfield Street, Foxborough MA., immediately exited the vehicle and attempted to walk away. Officer Kobelecki ordered both men to return to the vehicle.

During the identification of Wheeler, he provided a false identity, alleging he was Justin Walker with a false date of birth and an incorrect partial social security number. Police stated that Wheeler exhibited indicators of nervousness during the traffic stop. Officer Kobelecki also detected the odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. The rear passenger of the vehicle admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the evening. Law enforcement database inquiries were unable to locate Wheeler’s alleged identity and he was suspected to have provided a false identity. Other officers arrived on the scene and removed all three occupants of the vehicle.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located a Beretta 950 BS .25 Caliber Pistol concealed under Wheeler’s front passenger seat. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber and seven rounds inside its magazine. The serial number on the exterior of the firearm was also found to be obliterated and was unidentifiable, according to police.

After being detained and advised of his Miranda Rights, Wheeler admitted to being in possession of the firearm. While searching Wheeler, officers located a Clonazepam pill concealed within his pants pocket.

Wheeler was charged with Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Alteration of Identification Marks on a Firearm, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Obstruction of a Police Officer. Wheeler also was found to have an active bench warrant from Sixth District Court for Failure to Appear.

On Monday, Wheeler was arraigned in Newport District Court where bail was set a $30,000 surety. Wheeler was ordered held without bail on the active bench warrant.