WORCESTER – A traffic stop on Maple Street led to four arrests for active warrants, drug and firearm charges on Thursday, January 21.
An officer part of the Neighborhood Response Team observed Jose Santiago, 44, of Worcester, enter a Ford Focus on Main Street at around 4:15 PM. The officer knew of an active warrant for Santiago’s arrest.
The officer asked for additional officer support and followed the vehicle. When the driver made an illegal turn onto Maple Street, a traffic stop was initiated.
Officers approached the vehicle and saw Tiffany Lavallee, 36, of Worcester, in the back seat of he vehicle. A warrant for Lavallee’s arrest was also active.
After asking Lavallee to step out of the vehicle, officers removed her from it when she would not comply. Officers discovered a handgun in her bag that was reported stolen. Lavallee does not have a license to carry a firearm.
Officers also discovered several items that appeared to be drugs packaged for resale: fentanyl, cocaine, Suboxone, K2 and synthetic marijuana.
There was an active warrant for a third person in the vehicle, Benjamin Mangham, 44, of Mattapan.
The driver of the vehicle, Walter McCormick, 57, of Worcester, had a suspended driver’s license.
Officers arrested all four individuals
Lavallee faces charges related to the warrant and new charges of:
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License
- Improper Storage of a Firearm
- Carrying a Firearm during Commission of a Felony
- Possession of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) with intent to Distribute
- Possession of a Class B Substance (Crack Cocaine) with intent to Distribute
- Possession of a Class B Substance (Suboxone) with intent to Distribute
- Possession of a Class C Substance (Synthetic Marijuana) with intent to Distribute
- Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute within 100 Feet of a Public Park
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Receiving Stolen Property Under $1200 (Firearm)
