Crime & Safety
Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Bust
The gang unit's routine stop in Worcester led to a large net of drugs and cash.
WORCESTER, MA—During a routine traffic stop, Worcester officers saw the driver stuff something into his pants. It led to an arrest.
On Wednesday, Nov. 9, members of the WPD Gang Unit were on patrol in an unmarked vehicle on Main Street.
Around 5:51 p.m., officers were headed toward Grand Street when they spotted a vehicle in front of them with a defective brake light. They pulled the car over, and approached the driver, Steven Tabbi, 41, Ascension Street, Worcester. He was the only person in the vehicle.
While conducting a check of his records, officers saw Tabbi trying to move about and place something in his pants. He was asked to get out of the car, and he initially refused, with officers asking again. Tabbi was placed under arrest after info came in that he was operating with a suspended license.
During the search, officers recovered $7,116 from his front pant pockets, and saw him remove a glassine baggie from his waistband and drop it to the ground. The baggies contained four smaller baggies that contained heroin and crack cocaine.
Tabbi was charged with Possession of Class A Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Class B Substance with the Intent to Distribute, Operating a MV with a Suspended License. A citation was also issued for Operating a MV with Defective Equipment.
Tabbi was arraigned on Thursday at the Worcester County District Courthouse.
