Alleged Hingham Drug Deal Turns into Weymouth Car Chase

A Marshfield man is facing drug charges after attempting to flee police after an alleged drug deal in Hingham.

Joseph W. Belton, 59, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of Oxycontin and cocaine with intent to distribute, driving to endanger, failure to stop for a police officer, and speeding according to the Patriot Ledger

Police say the chase began after a plain-clothes lieutenant observed what appeared to be a drug deal in the Rockland Trust Bank parking lot near the Hingham-Weymouth line. The lieutenant then showed his badge to Belton and asked about the nature of the meeting. Belton said the other person owed him money, before speeding out of the lot while towing a landscaping truck.

After driving to Weymouth, Belton allegedly stopped at the South Shore Yacht Club, ran into the water, and opened pill bottles in the water.

Belton was apprehended in the water and pleaded innocent to the charges Monday morning in Hingham District Court. He is due back on Oct. 1.