New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On July 22, 2015 at about 11:45 p.m., Troopers Paul Dunderdale and David Walczak, assigned to the Troop D Community Action Team, were conducting an investigation on Summer Street in the city of Taunton. At that time, they were attempting to locate a suspect who had assaulted a trooper earlier in the evening. While outside of their cruiser, the troopers observed a white Chevrolet Malibu traveling slowly past their location and believed that the operator resembled the assault suspect. When the troopers attempted to make contact with this operator, he took off at a high rate of speed.
Troopers Dunderdale and Walczak caught up with the vehicle in the Mechanics Bank parking lot on Summer Street. Upon approaching the operator, the troopers observed him to engage in dangerous movements. They subsequently determined that the operator was in possession of a quantity of a substance believed to be heroin, as well as a silver, Raven Arms .25 Caliber firearm.
The operator, who was not the suspect from the previous assault, was identified as HECTOR RODRIGUEZ, 29, of Taunton. He was placed under arrest on the following charges:
1. Use of a Firearm While Committing a Felony
2. Trafficking in Heroin
3. Operating with a Suspended/Revoked Registration – Subsequent Offense
4. Speeding
5. Marked Lanes Violation
RODRIGUEZ was booked at the State Police Barracks in Middleboro and then transported to the Bristol County Jail House where he was held on $25,000.00 bail pending his arraignment in Taunton District Court.
