Pair From Pittsfield Arrested In Salem On Drug Charges

SALEM, NH — It was a busy day for the Salem Police on April 6, 2015, as they were able to arrest six people on driving violation, drug possession, and other charges. According to a press statement from Lt. Joel Dolan, police made four traffic and drug arrests on Monday. Catherine Gagne, 41, and Donald West, 41, both of Pittsfield, were both arrested after a motor vehicle stop and charged with possession of a controlled drug. West was also charged with transporting drugs in a motor vehicle.

Editor's Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

Lance Bellerose, 40, of Merrimack, was arrested after a motor vehicle stop and charged with possession of heroin, disobeying an officer, falsifying physical evidence, and driving after suspension. He was arrested on an OUI charge in Merrimack in 2014.

Anthony Maldonado, 26, of Lowell, MA, was arrested after a motor vehicle stop on two active bench warrants charging him with cruelty to animals and operating after suspension. He was also charged with possession of marijuana and transporting drugs in a motor vehicle.

Dolan added that at around 10:30 p.m. last night, Chief Paul Donovan reportedly saw a vehicle traveling about 90 mph on Veterans Memorial Parkway and attempted to pull the vehicle over. The vehicle, however, refused to stop and slowed to around 30 mph.

“As the vehicle continued at this speed Chief Donovan was able to observe the male operator change positions with the female passenger as the vehicle was in motion so that the female was now operating the vehicle,” Dolan alleged.

Other patrol units responded and the vehicle later stopped on Lawrence Road near the South Salem Fire Station. The man, Philip Wetmore, 24, of Salem, allegedly “initially refused to exit the vehicle” but was removed later and arrested.

Wetmore was charged with operating after being declared a habitual offender, disobeying an officer, resisting arrest or detention, and reckless conduct with a deadly weapon. Wetmore was previously arrested in 2012 and 2014, according to reports on Patch. Wetmore was arraigned today after being held without bail.

Editor's Note: This post has been edited.