Published in the January 23, 2017 edition
WAKEFIELD — A 30-year-old Newburyport man faces a slew of drug charges after police received a call reporting a suspicious white man sitting in front of the Everly Apartments at 14 Audubon Rd. at about 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Responding police located a man fitting the description wearing a sweatshirt, jeans and carrying a backpack. Police said that he exhibited behavior consistent with someone under the influence of drugs and appeared to be extremely nervous, his hands were shaking and he was not complying with repeated police requests to keep his hands out of his pockets.
When one of the officers attempted to remove the man’s hand from his pocket, they discovered his fist clenched and holding several twist baggies containing a brown powdery substance believed to be heroin. Further investigation turned up two grams of cocaine, 25 Suboxone strips, two separate baggies with a total of 119 Klonopin tablets and 46 Atavan pills.
Police arrested Mark M. Hanscom of 7 Coltin Dr. in Newburyport on multiple drug possession charges. Since all of the drugs were packaged in a manner consistent with sales, Hanscom also faces drug distribution charges.
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At about 10:45 a.m. on Friday, a Byron Street man reported that his black 2016 Jeep Cherokee had been entered overnight and several items were stolen, including ski goggles, gloves, an iPod and a cell phone worth a total of several hundred dollars. The car was unlocked.
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Police are investigating after receiving a report at about 11:15 a.m. on Friday of counterfeit $20 bills being used at Walgreens. Police said that the phony money was used to purchase a VISA gift card. Police said they have a security camera image of the suspect, a white male with dark hair and dark clothing. The matter remains under investigation.
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At about 2:15 p.m. on Friday, a woman reported that her 2010 Subaru Outback had been vandalized while parked at her place of business at Edgewater Office Park. There were scratches on the driver’s side door consistent with keying.
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Also at about 2:15 p.m. on Friday, an Auburn Street resident reported that two unlocked vehicles were entered overnight while parked at his home. Police said that it appeared that items had been moved arounds inside a 2012 Nissan and a 2005 Jeep Liberty. A Garmin GPS unit valued at $50 was reported stolen. There was no other damage to the vehicles.
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A 20-year-old North Reading man will be summonsed to court for driving on a revoked license and driving a car with a revoked registration after a two car accident just before 5 p.m. on Friday in the area of 219 Albion St. Police said that a 2008 Lexus was traveling on Albion Street when a 2007 Nissan Centra, driven by the North Reading man, came out of a parking lot and hit the Lexus. The Fire Department and Action Ambulance also responded, but no injuries were reported. Both cars were towed from the scene.
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A 20-year-old Malden man will be summonsed to court for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for a police officer after an incident just before 4 a.m. on Saturday. Police said that an officer on patrol on Nahant Street came upon a 2012 Mercedes stopped in the middle of the street. The car then took off at a high rate of speed on turned onto Kathleen Drive. The officer was able to stop the vehicle at that point and determine that the driver was unlicensed.
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A 32-year-old Methuen man will be summonsed to court for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (subsequent offense) after a stop on Water Street near Millbrook Lane just before 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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Police responded to a large party with 100-200 adults at a business on Teal Road at about 3:15 a.m. Sunday. The business had apparently been rented for the party. Police said that there was alcohol being served at the party and informed the hosts of the need to obtain a temporary liquor license.
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The Fire Department responded to 20 calls over the weekend, 13 of which were for medical aid.
