A Rhode Island man is facing a number of charges after a brief motor vehicle pursuit Saturday in Ashby, Massachusetts, where police allegedly seized cocaine from the vehicle.
Police said an officer stopped a sport utility vehicle for speeding on West State Road at about 4:30 p.m.
When the officer approaced the SUV, the driver sped off and the officer returned to his cruiser to initiate a pursuit.
Police said the SUV proceeded down West State Road, passing multiple vehicles and driving in the breakdown lane. The vehicle then abruptly stopped and the driver exited the vehicle.
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Police said the officer drew his firearm and ordered the driver to raise his hands.
The driver, identified as Dislyn Roa-De La Rosa, 23, of Providence, Rhode Island, did not comply with the orders and told the officer he did not understand English.
The officer was able to place Roa-De La Rosa into custody without further incident. He was charged with trafficking cocaine, failure to stop for police, passing in a no passing zone, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and speeding.
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During a search of Roa-De La Rosa's SUV, police said they found nearly $1,800 in cash in the vehicle. Police said several bags of a white power, later identified as cocaine, were found in a culvert up the road. Police allege the bags were thrown from the SUV by Roa-De La Rosa during the pursuit.
Roa-De La Rosa was ordered held on $15,040 cash bail pending his arraignment Monday in Ayer District Court.
