EAST BRIDGEWATER — Acting Chief Michael Jenkins reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department arrested and charged a man, who is also a suspect in an ongoing narcotics investigation, following an attempted traffic stop and crash on Sunday.
RUBEN DE PINA, AGE 23, of BROCKTON, was arrested and charged with:
- Trafficking Crack Cocaine (18 grams to 36 grams)
- Carrying a Firearm Without a License (Third Offense)
- Carrying a Firearm Without a License While Loaded (Third Offense)
- Possession of a High Capacity Feeding Device
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Possession of Class B Substance
- Failure to Stop for Police
- Reckless Operation of Motor Vehicle
- Marked Lanes Violation
- Speeding
- Unlicensed Operation
- Failure to Wear a Seat Belt
DE PINA was arraigned in Brockton District Court on Monday. He is being held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing scheduled for June 20.
On Sunday, June 11 at approximately 7:10 p.m., East Bridgewater Police Officer Joshua DeJesus observed a black Toyota sedan traveling south on Pleasant Street, allegedly at a high rate of speed. Officer DeJesus activated his blue lights to pull over the vehicle. As Officer DeJesus approached the Toyota on foot, the driver, later identified as DE PINA, allegedly drove away.
Officer DeJesus attempted to stop the vehicle. Approximately a half-mile from the original traffic stop, at the intersection between North Central Street and West Union Street, Officer DeJesus located the Toyota, which had allegedly crashed into another vehicle. Officer DeJesus observed DE PINA attempting to exit the vehicle’s passenger side, as well as reach for something on the floor of the passenger area. Officer DeJesus called for backup, deployed K-9 Thor, and began to approach the vehicle and give commands to the operator.
East Bridgewater Police Sgt. Dennis Andre, Officer Cory McLaughlin and West Bridgewater Police Officers responded to the scene to assist. Due to the crash, the Toyota’s doors were unable to be opened. Sgt. Andre and Officer McLaughlin were able to break the vehicle’s window and remove DE PINA from the vehicle through the passenger side window DE PINA was placed under arrest without further incident and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for evaluation.
The operator of the second vehicle involved in the crash was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. A passenger in the vehicle was not transported.
During a subsequent search of DE PINA’s vehicle, officers located and seized:
- A loaded 9mm handgun and ammunition
- A clear plastic bag containing 24 grams of a white rock-like substance
- $60 cash
- Digital scale with white powder residue and sandwich bags
- Four smartphones
- Suboxone Strips
Once identified, it was determined that DE PINA was also a suspect in an ongoing narcotics investigation by members of the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force. Since April, members of the Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force, with the assistance of Brockton Police Narcotics Detectives, were conducting an investigation into narcotics distribution occurring within Plymouth County. During the investigation, DE PINA was identified as an individual allegedly distributing fentanyl. Throughout the investigation, investigators were able to arrange and complete four controlled purchases of narcotics, allegedly from DE PINA.
As a result of his arrest, East Bridgewater Detective David Perrault, who works with the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force as a lead Task Force Officer, applied for and was granted a search warrant for a home in Rockland where DE PINA was believed to be residing.
On Monday, June 12 at approximately 4 p.m., members of the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force and Rockland Police executed the search warrant at 266 Plain St. in Rockland. Investigators with the Plymouth County Narcotics Unit arrived and assisted with the search process.
The owner of the home, later identified as ERIKA MYLLMAKI, was present when the search warrant was executed. DE PINA was confirmed to be renting the loft section of the residence.
During their search, investigators located approximately 215 grams of fentanyl and three firearms in the area DE PINA reportedly stayed. As a result, DE PINA will additionally be charged with Trafficking of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) and Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card (three counts). He will be summonsed to appear in Brockton District Court on these charges at a later date.
In other areas of the home, investigators located approximately 289 grams of fentanyl and another firearm. As a result, MYLLMAKI, AGE 37, of ROCKLAND, was also arrested. She is charged by Rockland Police with Trafficking of a Class A Substance (Fentanyl) and Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card.
MYLLMAKI was expected to be arraigned in Hingham District Court on Tuesday.
These are allegations. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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