Gun, drugs found during traffic stop

AMESBURY — A traffic stop resulted in the arrest of four men with extensive criminal records on drug and gun charges on Route 110 early Saturday morning.

Officer David Noyes reported he saw a 2002 Pontiac sedan being driven erratically near the Irving Gas Station on Route 110 just after midnight. The vehicle failed to stay within the lanes and came close to striking an island barrier along the road before Noyes attempted to stop the vehicle, according to police.

As Noyes put on his lights, the vehicle continued to drive, and Noyes reportedly observed strange behavior by the occupants inside the vehicle.

"Officer Noyes observed the four occupants in a flurry of activity," Lt. Mark Gagnon said yesterday. "The rear seat passenger bent over out of view at times and the occupants were busily interacting with each other."

The vehicle continued before pulling over after the Clarks Road intersection.

Noyes told the driver to place his car keys on the dashboard of the vehicle; they all told Noyes they did not have licenses in their possession and they all smelled of alcohol. Noyes also noticed the passengers appeared to be under age.

The driver of the vehicle said the car was his girlfriend's and before giving his name, the back seat passengers attempted to get out of the car, according to police.

"Noyes pushed the door shut and ordered the occupants to stay in the motor vehicle," Gagnon said. "As Noyes was radioing for backup, the driver reached for the keys and Noyes reached in and removed him from the vehicle. As he did this, he ordered the passengers to show their hands and not to move. The passengers ignored his command and Officer Noyes retreated to the rear of the vehicle and conducted a pat frisk of the operator."

Upon finding identification of the driver in his pocket, Noyes identified the driver as Kalis Fitzgerald, 27, of Boston. Fitzgerald had an active arrest warrant out of Newburyport District Court on a previous driving while under the influence of alcohol conviction and his license was revoked.

Officer Kevin Mulrenin arrived for backup and observed the passengers still moving around inside the car. According to Gagnon, the officers were concerned for their safety and radioed for Sgt. Kevin Donovan. Officer Steven Reed also arrived to assist.

"The right rear seat passenger continued to defy the officers' instruction," Gagnon said. "Officer Noyes removed him and conducted a pat down for his safety. He pulled his hands away and shoved them toward his waistline. Sgt. Donovan painted him with the taser light and told him not to move."

According to police, the man was identified as 19-year-old Derrick Brown of Boston. He appeared to be intoxicated with a strong odor of liquor on his breath and urinated through his pants as he struggled to comply with officers' orders.

The other passengers, identified as Kyle Chandler, 20, of Boston, and Anthony Jackson, 17, of Boston, were also arrested at the scene. Jackson was concealing an open bottle of Grey Goose Vodka in his jacket and joked about it as he was patted down.

When officers searched the vehicle, they found a silver semi-automatic pistol under the front passenger's seat. The firearm was loaded with five rounds of ammunition. According to police, no one admitted ownership of the gun so all were charged with possession of a firearm without a license and ammunition without a license.

All four were taken to Amesbury Police Station where officers found a small bag of cocaine on Fitzgerald. Officers at the scene also found two additional plastic baggies of cocaine in a slot near the seat belt in the center of the seat. The baggies were packaged identically and the same size as the one found on Fitzgerald.

"They all had very lengthy criminal records," Gagnon said.

Fitzgerald's record includes several prior convictions for cocaine distribution, motor vehicle theft and he has used several aliases, according to police.

"During the booking of Fitzgerald, the officers photographed a tattoo on his stomach for identification purposes," Gagnon said. "When they took the photo, Fitzgerald flashed what appeared to be a gang symbol about the tattoo with his hand."

During booking, police also found two empty plastic baggies and one full baggie with a white rock, crystal power substance in the right front pocket of Jackson's jacket. His left pocket held a bail release form for distribution of a class D substance. Jackson's criminal record includes conviction for robbery, cocaine distribution and carrying dangerous weapons.

The two other suspects, Brown and Chandler, also had criminal records. Brown's record includes robbery and drug distribution charges and Chandler has a pending case in Roxbury District Court for carrying a firearm without a license. He was due in Roxbury District Court today on those charges.

"They are very well known to Boston Police," Gagnon said. "One of the suspect's girlfriends lives in Amesbury and they had her car."

Shaunalee McQuade, 27, 211âÑ2 Winter St., Amesbury, was issued a summons yesterday on charges of allowing improper operation of a vehicle.

Amesbury police charged the suspects with the following: Fitzgerald, of 66 St. James St., Boston, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of cocaine, open container of alcohol in a vehicle, driving while under the influence of alcohol (second offense), driving with a revoked license, marked lanes violation and on a warrant; Jackson, of 2 St. James St., Boston, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of cocaine, minor in possession of alcohol; Brown, 112 Harrishoff St., Boson, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, a minor in possession of alcohol; Chandler, 46B St. James St., Boston, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, a minor in possession of alcohol. All four were held at Middleton jail on $25,000 cash bail over the weekend. They were each to be arraigned today in Newburyport District Court.

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