New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Just after midnight on October 29, Trooper Dana Crovo, assigned to State Police-Framingham, was on a motor vehicle stop on Route 128 in Milton. As he was walking back to his cruiser he had to step out of the way in order not to be struck by a vehicle passing extremely close to his location. Trooper Crovo immediately dismissed the other driver and proceeded to catch up to the vehicle, a blue Nissan Rogue.
As Trooper Crovo caught up to the Nissan he activated his blue lights and siren in order to pull the vehicle over. While it was slowing, he noticed the front seat passenger move to the back seat and quickly return to the front.
After the vehicle stopped Trooper Crovo approached and attempted to identify the two passengers, however, they stated they did not possess identification and the vehicle was a rental car to which they had no paperwork. While speaking to the occupants Trooper Crovo observed the operator to have a knife protruding out of his pocket as well as a black leather bag containing a small amount of marijuana and another substance he suspected to be illegal narcotics. Trooper Aaron Smith arrived on scene a short time later to assist.
Trooper Crovo removed the operator from the vehicle and eventually identified him as MARIO VALDEZ, 26, of Roxbury. They confirmed VALDEZ did not possess a driver’s license and placed him under arrest then secured him in the rear of a cruiser. Trooper Smith then removed the passenger from the vehicle and immediately noticed a large machete tucked in between the door and his seat. He was identified as SERGIO DE LOS SANTOS, 33, of the Dominican Republic and placed under arrest.
Upon securing the passenger both troopers conducted a search of the vehicle and located 56 grams of a substance believed to be heroin, as well as over $16,000 in cash.
Both men were transported to the Framingham Barracks where they were booked and bail was set at $100,000 each. They were arraigned at Quincy District Court the following morning on the following charges:
MARIO VALDEZ:
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
• Trafficking in Heroin;
• Fail to Change Lane for Stopped Emergency vehicle; and
• Marked Lanes Violation.
SERGIO DE LOS SANTOS:
• Carrying a Dangerous Weapon; and
• Trafficking in Heroin.
