Tewksbury Police Report 3 Arrests With Drug, Assault Charges

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury Police Department arrested three men Thursday through Saturday on charges including fentanyl trafficking and assault.

On Thursday, the Department arrested Christopher Olds, 35, of Sterling. He was charged with trafficking fentanyl, possessing a spring-assisted switch blade knife and possession of other controlled substances.

Police were sent to the Holiday Inn at 4 Highwood Drive for a well-being check on an individual who seemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to a news release. Police investigated and found 63 grams of fentanyl, a knife, a pellet gun and other narcotics.

Because he was intoxicated, Olds was taken to a hospital for evaluation. He was then placed in custody and held on $7,500 bail awaiting his arraignment, scheduled for Friday.

On Friday, police arrested Aaaron Gribbin, 26, of Manchester, N.H. He was also charged with fentanyl trafficking and possession of other controlled substances. He also had an outstanding warrant in Tewksbury for possession of buprenorphine.

Police were again sent for a well-being check on someone who appeared to be under the influence, this time to the Circle K at 1785 Andover Street, according to the Department. Officers found 133 bags of fentanyl in Gribbin's car, police said.

He was arrested and held on $5,000 bail awaiting arraignment. He was due to be arraigned Monday.

Finally, on Saturday, the department arrested Somkith Thongsouvanh, 32, of Lowell. He was charged with assault with a knife, possession of methamphetamine and disorderly conduct. He also was charged as a fugitive from justice in New Hampshire, where he is wanted for criminal threatening, police said.

A caller reported a man waiving a knife and acting erratically at the iStorage at 470 Main Street, the department said.

When officers arrived, they were faced with Thongsouvanh acting erratically with a knife in his hand," the release continues. "Thongsouvanh got within 10 feet of one of the officers and made a punching motion towards him with the knife in his hand. Fortunately, the officer was able to de-escalate the situation which resulted in the Thongsouvanh dropping the knife and being placed in custody."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.