Published in the December 17, 2015 edition.

WAKEFIELD — Wakefield Police detectives arrested a 28-year-old Lynn man and a 41-year-old Salem man yesterday afternoon after observing an apparent drug deal in the parking lot of the Lakeside Inn on North Avenue.

Police were in the area of the Lakeside Inn at about 4:30 p.m. when they saw a white man and a black man talking near the entrance to the hotel parking lot. They then observed the black man, later identified as Sampson Miller, 41, of Salem receive a phone call as he began walking through the parking lot. A short time later, a gray Chrysler entered the lot and Miller got into the car. The car then drove onto Willard Street (next to the parking lot) and back around into the lot. Miller then got out of the car, according to police.

As another Wakefield unit followed the Chrysler onto Route 128, detectives approached Miller. As they attempted to speak to Miller, police say that he managed to swallow several bags of what appeared to be drugs.

Meanwhile on Route 128, police stopped the Chrysler, where the driver and passenger said they had come from Lynn and denied that anyone had gotten into the car in the hotel lot.

Police requested the assistance of a State Police K9 unit to search the Chrysler. The dog keyed on an area of the car and police located a quantity of a brown substance believed to be heroin. Also located in the car was $1,400 in cash.

Police arrested a passenger in the car, Serge Prince, 28, of Lynn and charged him with possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Miller was arrested on two warrants, one for larceny and one for assault.

—–

At 11:44 a.m. yesterday, police were called to Summer Street on a report of a suspicious man taking pictures of homes. The man turned out to be a local real estate agent taking photos of a house that just went on the market.

—–

At about 3:20 p.m. yesterday, police were called to Line Road after a 1993 International truck owned by a Topsfield landscaping company got its boom stuck in overhead wires. As a result, one utility pole broke and wires were pulled from several houses.

—–

Just after 4 p.m. yesterday, Police, Fire and Action Ambulance were dispatched to the scene of a two-car accident at North Avenue and Wolcott Street. Police said that a 2006 Mercedes driven by a 16-year-old Wakefield female apparently drove into the rear of a 2010 Chrysler driven by a 51-year-old Wakefield woman who was stopped in traffic. The Mercedes was towed from the scene. There were no reported injuries.

—–

Just after 5 p.m., a 2004 Chevy driven by a 74-year-old Malden woman drove into a parked 2007 Ford dump truck. The woman was apparently attempting to leave a parking area at 338 Main St. via a driveway onto Crescent Street and accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake. Police, Fire and Action Ambulance responded. The woman was transported to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and her car was towed. No citations were issued.

—–

Police, the Fire Department and Action Ambulance responded to a report of a two-car crash on Route 128 southbound near Exit 41 at about 6:40 p.m. yesterday. One elderly woman was transported to the hospital. The Fire Department swept up debris and stood by until the arrival of a tow truck.

—–

At about 3 a.m. this morning, police. Fire and Action Ambulance responded to a single-car crash on Green Street. The driver, a 23-year-old Wakefield woman, said that she lost control of the car before hitting a utility pole. The pole snapped at the base and wires were pulled from three nearby homes. The woman refused transport to the hospital and was picked up by family members. The car was towed from the scene.