New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
At approximately 9:30 p.m. yesterday two Troopers assigned to the Troop D Community Action Team were alerted by the Brockton Police Department of a shooting that took place in their city. The Troopers, patrolling in a single cruiser, responded to the area of the Westgate Mall in order to search for a vehicle matching the description of the one that fled the shooting.
Just before 10 p.m. they observed a similar vehicle, a gray Chevrolet SUV, and began to follow it. While doing so, they observed the vehicle travel over a curb and onto a sidewalk. The Troopers activated the cruiser’s blue lights and initiated a motor vehicle stop on the Chevrolet in the area of retail stores at the Westgate Mall.
Once the vehicle was stopped the Troopers approached it and identified the operator as SHAHEN EDWARDS, 42, of New Bedford. EDWARDS provided a Massachusetts identification card and information of the vehicle, which was rented in a family members name. EDWARDS informed the Troopers he did not possess a valid driver’s license. It was confirmed his license was revoked due to a prior offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated. EDWARDS was removed from the vehicle and informed it was going to be towed.
Once EDWARDS was secured the Troopers began an inventory of the vehicles contents per State Police policy. They quickly observed indications that parts of the vehicle’s interior had been removed and replaced, which is common when concealing narcotics while transporting them. While investigating one of these areas they quickly located a plastic bag with nearly 30 grams of a substance believed to be Crack Cocaine.
After a subsequent search of the vehicle Troopers located a loaded 9mm pistol capable of holding 15 rounds of ammunition along with another bag containing nearly 100 grams of a substance believed to be Fentanyl. EDWARDS is currently on probation with multiple convictions of drug distribution, firearms possession, and driving with a revoked license. The serial number on the firearm was scratched off and destroyed, rendering it unable to be traced.
EDWARDS was placed under arrest and transported to State Police-Middleboro. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $50,040. EDWARDS is expected to be arraigned at Brockton District Court on the following offenses:
1. Operating a Motor Vehicle while Suspended for OUI;
2. Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked License, Subsequent Offense;
3. Possession of a Firearm with Prior Violent/Drug Crime;
4. Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number while in Commission of a Felony;
5. Possession of a Large Capacity Weapon;
6. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
7. Trafficking in Fentanyl;
8. Trafficking in Cocaine; and
9. Marked Lanes Violation.
