Gun, ammo, drugs seized from driver by Massachusetts State Police with 5-year-old in back seat

Early this morning, a Massachusetts State Police K9 Unit Trooper stopped a speeding sport utility vehicle in Marlborough, and ended seizing an illegally-owned handgun and narcotics from the driver, whose five-year-old son was sleeping in the backseat.

According to Dave Procopio of the Massachusetts State Police, at approximately 3:40 a.m. Trooper Kurt D’Angelo of the K9 Unit was patrolling Route 290 eastbound when he clocked a Volkswagen Atlas traveling more than 20 mph faster than the posted 40 mph speed limit. The Atlas then took the ramp onto Route 495 northbound. While on the ramp, the Atlas partially crossed over the solid white line on the passenger side. Trooper D’Angelo activated his emergency lights and stopped the SUV in the breakdown lane.

A query of the SUV, which had New York plates, indicated it had been rented from AVIS. Procopio stated that further investigation indicated that the driver, identified as Anthony Oliver, 28, of Stratford, Connecticut, was not the man who had rented the vehicle, and further revealed that the vehicle was supposed to have been returned to AVIS by Monday afternoon. A male front seat passenger was also in the SUV and Trooper D’Angelo observed a young male child sleeping in the rear seat.

Trooper Justin Antoon responded to the scene to assist, and, after observing suspicious and nervous behavior by Oliver, the Troopers removed him from the driver’s seat.

Once outside the SUV, Oliver continued his nervous and erratic behavior, according to the report. While conducting a pat frisk of Oliver, Trooper D’Angelo found in his left pocket a clear tube filled with a substance believed to be marijuana and rolling papers. Oliver then ignored commands to keep his hands on his car and thrust his right hand into his right pants pocket. Both Troopers then grabbed Oliver’s arms to gain control of him and remove his hand from his pocket. The suspect began to flail and kick and was attempting to remove what appeared to the Troopers to be a hard object from his right pocket.

In fear for their safety, the Troopers brought Oliver to the ground and secured and handcuffed him. Trooper Antoon then removed a small silver revolver from Oliver’s right pocket. Procopio stated that the firearm was identified as a Clerke 1st .32 caliber Smith & Wesson with five cartridges in the cylinder.

Meanwhile, the passenger was becoming unruly and hanging out of his window which caused other Troopers to respond and remove the passenger. A search of the passenger came up with negative results.

While searching the SUV’s rear cargo compartment, Troopers located a zipper pouch containing an additional 26 .32 Smith & Wesson cartridges, as well as cellophane packaging containing a large quantity of a powdery white rock-like substance believed to be cocaine or fentanyl. A further search of the vehicle led to the discovery of six pink star-shaped tablets believed to be ecstasy.

Trooper Antoon transported Oliver to the State Police-Leominster Barracks, where he was booked on Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number, Carrying a Loaded Firearm, Wanton and Reckless Child Endangerment, Trafficking in Cocaine; Possession of a Class C Substance (Ecstasy), Resisting Arrest; Speeding, and Marked Lanes Violation.

A Trooper transported the 5-year-old boy to the barracks. Further investigation revealed that Oliver has full custody of the child. A family member responded to the Barracks and took custody of the child. Troopers contacted Connecticut’s child welfare agency and notified it of the arrest so appropriate intervention can be made for the child’s well-being.

The passenger was not charged. The SUV was towed and impounded from the scene.

Oliver was expected to be arraigned through Marlborough District Court.

Dave Procopio