Ritchie arrest

Date/Time Reported Date/Time Occurred
11/21/2013 12:24:30 On or about 11/21/2013 12:24
Incident Type(s)/Offense(s)
(90/13A)SEAT BELT, FAIL WEAR c90 S13A
(94C/32C/C)DRUG, POSSESS TO DISTRIB CLASS D c94C S32C
(94C/32J)DRUG VIOLATION NEAR SCHOOL c94C S32J

Persons
Role Name Sex Race Age DOB Phone
VEHICLE OWNER (HOME)
ADDRESS: , MA (CELL)

OWNER/OPERATOR (HOME)
ADDRESS: (CELL)

Offenders
Status Name Sex Race Age DOB Phone
DEFENDANT RITCHIE, JOHN ANDREW MALE WHITE 23 11/15/1990 (HOME)
ADDRESS: 20 OAK ST. WESTWOOD, MA (CELL)

Vehicles
Role Type Year Make Model Color Reg # State
INVOLVED VEHICLE 2004 FORD TAURUS BROWN MA
Stolen $ Rec Code Date Rec Rec $ Rec By

Property
Class Description Make Model Serial # Value
DRUG 124.5 GRAMS MARIJUANA
(PRELIM WEIGHT) 1000

Officer Report: 13043440 – 1 / CICERONE, F (279)
Date/Time of Report Type of Report Review Status
11/21/2013 13:15:46 INCIDENT COMPLETED

Narrative
The following is a brief summary pertaining to Incident #13043440:

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, I was working in marked unit East-1. At approximately 12:45 P.M. I was travelling east on Medford Street about to take a left turn onto Pearl Street. As I had just turned onto Pearl Street, a brown Ford sedan was travelling directly towards my cruiser with at least two occupants inside. As the brown Ford was now directly in front of me I saw that it contained a failed inspection and plates for Massachusetts registration . I also noticed that neither the operator or passenger was wearing their seat belt. I randomly queried this vehicle registration via my cruiser laptop and found that the registration was active to a 2004 Ford Taurus however, the inspection failed on April 4, 2013 and had never been re-inspected. I turned my cruiser around and was now behind the brown Ford as it now was on School Street. I activated my emergency blue lights and siren and subsequently stopped this motor vehicle at the corner of School Street and Madison Street. I would note that all of these streets are public ways in the city of Somerville.

As I approached the driver, later identified as , I saw that the passenger, later identified as Mr. John Ritchie, was attempting to put on his seat belt. I asked both operator and Mr. Ritchie for their license and registration. Both occupants provided me with their licenses and operator also gave me the vehicle registration which he stated belonged to his friend. I returned to my cruiser and began a query of operator and Mr. Ritchie. As I was seated in my cruiser I could see Mr. Ritchie was talking to operator and appeared to be reaching for something in front of him. I exited my cruiser and walked up to the passenger side of the vehicle to ask Mr. Ritchie what he was doing. Mr. Ritchie opened the window and stated that he was not doing anything. As Mr. Ritchie opened the window I could smell fresh marijuana coming from the vehicle. I explained to Mr. Ritchie that I could smell fresh marijuana in the vehicle. Mr. Ritchie stated that he did have some marijuana. Mr. Ritchie stated, “I have a roach I was about to smoke.” He then picked up a small rolled marijuana roach which contained some fresh marijuana inside. I asked Mr. Ritchie if that was all he had. Mr Ritchie stated, “No, I have a little more in my bag.” Mr. Ritchie then moved his legs and a green backpack appeared from under his legs.

Mr. Ritchie pulled out a small mason jar from the smaller of the two zippered compartments. This mason jar contained more fresh marijuana. I asked Mr. Ritchie if that was all the marijuana. He did not answer me and looked down towards the backpack. Mr. Ritchie started to become nervous at this time breathing extra heavy. I radioed for backup at this time as marked unit Sector-East, Officer Van Nostrand, and street supervisor, Sergeant Isidoro, responded at this time. I asked Mr. Ritchie if I could look through his backpack. Mr. Ritchie stated, “Yeah, go ahead.” Mr. Ritchie handed me the green backpack and it appeared to be weighed down. Mr. Ritchie opened his passenger side door and I could see a stack of money located directly next to his wallet on the passenger side door arm rest. I opened the larger of the two zippered components and found a large mason jar full of marijuana. Also inside that backpack, I found a digital scale, and numerous clear plastic baggies.

At this time, I read Mr. Ritchie his Miranda Rights from a card I keep in my uniform pocket. Mr. Ritchie stated he understood his rights. I asked Mr. Ritchie how much marijuana he had. Mr. Ritchie stated, “A few ounces.” At this time, Mr. Ritchie stated he did not want to speak with me anymore. Due to my training and experience, I opined the digital scale, money, clear plastic baggies, and an overly large amount of marijuana were some of the common ingredients of those associated in the illegal sale and distribution of controlled substances.

Mr. Ritchie was placed under arrest and transported to Somerville Police Headquarters via marked unit 200, Officer McCarey, where he was booked in the usual manner by Lieutenant A. Rymill. Mr. Ritchie received Massachusetts Uniform Citation #R4232129 for his offenses. operator also received a separate citation for his offenses as well. The location of the motor vehicle stop is within three hundred feet of the Somerville High School. This Somerville High School is a public school that is owned and maintained by the City of Somerville for grades 9-12. The $146.00 in US currency was seized and placed into evidence for forfeiture proceedings. Any and all evidence was photographed, and placed in safekeeping by Detective McNally. Refer to Detective McNally’s supplemental report regarding any evidence.