Five Men Arrested on Drug Charges in Worcester

Five men were arrested in Worcester on drug charges following an undercover investigation by Worcester Police on Friday.

All five men will be arraigned on Monday, March 27, 2017 at the Worcester County District Courthouse.

The Investigation

On Friday, March 24, members of the WPD Vice Squad were in possession of a search warrant for 22 Frank Street. The target of the search warrant was Craig Strickland, 57-years-old of the same address.

Vice officers set up surveillance positions near the Frank Street home. During the surveillance officers saw Strickland and another man, later identified as Daniel Reddy, 43-years-old of 78 Sonya Drive, Marlboro, enter a Ford Taurus and drive off. At this time other undercover officers positioned nearby followed the car to Belmont Street. The car was seen picking up a person, later identified as Brian Gernrich, 48-years-old of 7 Duncan Avenue, Auburn. The car then traveled a short distance and dropped Gernrich off on Alvarado Street.

Vice officers, believing that they just saw a drug transaction take place, encountered Gernwich and asked him to speak with them. Gernwich was startled when he saw the officers approach him. Officers saw Gernwich place an item in his mouth and began to quickly walk away. Gernwich was placed under arrest by force due to his resistance. He was charged with resisting arrest and misleading an investigation (the item that he placed in his mouth was swallowed as officers approached him). Gernwich also had several outstanding arrest warrants in effect. The warrants were for narcotic offenses, Larcenies and Shoplifting.

After meeting with Gernwich, Strickland and Reddy arrive back home at 22 Frank Street.

After a while the two men were once again seen exiting the home and enter the Ford. The car drove off heading towards Belmont Street. Vice officers followed the Ford into the Piccadilly Plaza Parking lot. Shortly after their arrival a second Ford Taurus pulled up next to the suspect car. Police saw Reddy exit the car and walk towards the driver’s door of the second Taurus. Officers saw a quick hand to hand exchange. Reddy went back towards the suspect car and drove off while the second Taurus drove across the street and into the McDonalds parking lot.

Officers approached the second Taurus and encountered a 33-year-old man. The man was in possession of heroin. The drugs were confiscated and the man will be charged and summonsed into court to face a charge of Possession of Class A Substance.

Strickland and Reddy arrived back at 22 Frank Street.

Worcester police continued surveillance.

Once again Reddy was seen exiting the Frank Street home and drive off in the Taurus. This time Reddy was alone. Undercover officers activated their emergency lights and signaled the car to stop. Reddy was placed under arrest without incident. He was charged with Distribution of Class A Substance and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Laws.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., officers saw a dark colored car drive up to the Frank Street home. The car was occupied by two men later identified as Steven Jacques, 52-years-old of 27 Chrome Street, Worcester and Steven Burritt, 63-years-old of 93 Pleasant Street, Worcester. Officers saw Strickland exit his home, approach the dark colored car and conduct a quick hand to hand transaction.

After the transaction the dark colored car drove off heading towards Wigwam Street. The car was followed by the officers. The car stopped on Coburn Avenue. At this time one officer positioned his unmarked cruiser in front of the dark colored car while the second officer pulled up behind in his unmarked cruiser. Both officers exited their cars with their badges prominently displayed. Upon seeing the officers, the driver, Steven Jacques, immediately put the car in reverse and drove backwards towards the officer and his cruiser. The officer, fearing for his safety, displayed his duty weapon and ordered him to stop the car. Jacques complied. He was placed under arrest and charged with knowingly being present where heroin is Kept. Burritt was placed under arrest and charged with possession of Class A Substance.

At time the officers decided to execute the search warrant. Officers knew Mr. Strickland was in the home. Officers knocked on the door and announced their presence. No one came to the door. Forced entry was made via the front door. Mr. Strickland and another male were located in the living room while a female was discovered on the second floor. The search produced a couple of rocks of crack cocaine and $154.00 in cash. A search of Strickland produced $2,002.00 in cash.

Strickland was placed under arrest and charged with possession of Class A Substance with the intent to distribute, distribution of class A substance, 2 counts of distribution of Class A Substance and possession of Class B Substance.

The man and woman in the house were not charged.