Massachusetts man accused of dragging State Trooper ruled dangerous, held without bail

BROCKTON – A Brockton man who fled from a traffic stop, dragging a Massachusetts State Trooper down the roadway, has been held on dangerousness, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced.

Derek Lobo, 31, was arraigned on September 15 in Brockton District Court, charged with one count each of Trafficking in Fentanyl, more than 10 grams, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Stop for Police, Not in Possession of a License, Number Plate Violation, Non-Transparent Window Obstruction, Speeding, and No Inspection Sticker.

Lobo was held without bail pending the outcome of a dangerousness hearing which was held Friday. Brockton District Court Judge Michelle Fentress found Lobo to be dangerousness and he is being held without bail.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred just before 6:00 p.m. on September 13th in Brockton. Massachusetts State Police troopers were on patrol along Montello Street when they observed a Mercedes sedan pass by with no front license plate and windows obstructed by non-transparent tint. A computerized Criminal Justice Information Services inquiry revealed the vehicle had an expired inspection sticker. The MSP troopers activated their emergency lights and conducted a motor vehicle stop. The operator of the Mercedes, Lobo, stopped the motor vehicle and the troopers approached, one on each side of the vehicle. One of the troopers returned to their cruiser to run a further computer check, while the other trooper remained with Lobo on the driver’s side. The record check found that Lobo’s license status was expired and non- renewable. The trooper headed back to Lobo and the other trooper. Lobo, who was wearing a black designer cross body style bag, was informed of the motor vehicle violations and asked by the trooper to exit the vehicle but refused. The trooper attempted to remove Lobo from the Mercedes and Lobo accelerated at a high rate of speed with the trooper hanging onto the open door of the Mercedes. It is estimated the trooper was dragged a city block, as Lobo weaved toward oncoming traffic. The trooper separated from the moving vehicle and was flung into the opposite lane of travel towards oncoming traffic. Due to the high rate of speed, the trooper’s uniform was shredded, and he was injured. The entire exchange was captured on dashboard camera video and the trooper’s body worn cameras.

Both troopers went back to their cruiser and attempted to follow Lobo, who was travelling an estimated 80 m.p.h. through busy downtown Brockton, but the pursuit was terminated.

Shortly thereafter, members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section responded to Brentwood Avenue, an address Lobo gave troopers. Lobo was not at the home, and troopers observed the same black Mercedes parked in the driveway. Inside the motor vehicle, troopers located the black designer cross body bag Lobo had been wearing during the motor vehicle stop. Inside the bag, troopers found 10.8 grams of suspected fentanyl. The drugs were secured, and troopers sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Lobo. He was later located at a residence on Union Street and taken into custody.

Lobo is next scheduled to appear in court on October 31st.

Assistant District Attorney Sean B. Kennedy handled today’s Dangerousness Hearing for the Commonwealth.