Taunton man arrested on drug distribution and other charges after fleeing

A Taunton man attempted some funny business in an arrested early this morning.

According to Sgt. James Casey, On Tuesday morning, just after midnight, Casey was traveling east on Winthrop St. (Rte 44) when he observed a red Mercedes C Sedan with a Massachusetts registration plate traveling west on Winthrop St. (Rte 44). Sgt. Casey noticed that the Mercedes had a head light that was not working and he reversed direction to initiate the stop of the vehicle. The vehicle initially stopped on Winthrop St. in the area of Camp Ramsbottom, but took off as Sgt. Casey approached the vehicle. Sgt. Casey pursued the vehicle and caught up to it after it took a right onto Anawan St. The vehicle came to a stop in the middle of the road and Sgt. Casey observed the operator move to the passenger seat. He observed the front seat passenger exit the vehicle and run around it in attempt to get in the driver’s seat along with a female passenger located in the rear of the vehicle. Ptlm. Nicholas Miranda and Ptlm. Adam Brown responded to assist Sgt. Casey.

The operator was identified as 34 year old James Mitchell of Prospect Street in Taunton. It was discovered that not only did Mitchell have a suspended driver’s license, but a large amount of drugs, suspected to be heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine were found in the vehicle.

Mitchell was transported to the Rehoboth Police Station where he was book. Bail was set at $7,540.00 and Mitchell was transported to the New Bedford House of Corrections.

Mitchell is due to appear in Taunton District Court this morning.

Mitchell was charged with Drug distribute Class A subsequent Offense, Drug Distribute Class B Subsequent offense, Failure to Stop for Police, License suspended operation of a motor vehicle with; subsequent offense and Defective Equipment.

The passengers of the vehicle were released without charges at this time.