For Immediate Release

Monday, July 22, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police Charge Pair With Drug Violations Following Pursuit

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark reports that two men were charged with multiple offenses following a traffic stop Monday morning.

PHILIP CARTER, AGE 37, OF CHELMSFORD was arrested and charged with:

• Illegal Possession of a Class A Substance (Subsequent Offense)
• Disturbing the Peace
• Possession of Fireworks
• Malicious Destruction of Property
• Operating a Motor Vehicle After License Suspension
• Failure to Stop for Police
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Negligently as to Endanger
• Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign (Two Counts)
• Failure to Stop at a Red Light
• Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage
• Seat Belt Violation

Additionally, PETER CARTER, AGE 34, OF CHELMSFORD was arrested and charged with:

• Illegal Possession of a Class E Substance
• Disturbing the Peace
• Illegal Possession of a Class A Substance (Subsequent Offense)
• Possession of Fireworks
• Interfering with a Police Investigation
• Seat Belt Violation

On Monday, July 22, at 6:55 a.m., Reading Police were dispatched to Dunkin’ Donuts, 454 Main St., for a report of a disorderly group at that location, with a further report that the individuals had left the scene in a Blue Ford F-350.

While en route, an officer observed the suspects’ vehicle traveling north on Village Street and began following it as it turned left onto Haven Street. The vehicle then immediately turned left onto Elliot Street, where the officers initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the two men inside, later identified as PHILIP and PETER CARTER. Police also identified the individuals as the ones who had allegedly caused the disturbance at Dunkin’ Donuts.

As officers at the scene of the stop attempted to investigate, they observed several large duffel bags in the rear of the vehicle, including one that was unzipped and appeared to contain fireworks. During the initial traffic stop, Reading Police dispatch was notified by Andover Police that the same truck was potentially involved in a separate incident in that community.

When asked to exit the vehicle to aid in the investigation, PHILIP CARTER drove away from the scene of the stop, disobeying a stop sign as he turned onto Green Street and again as he turned onto Route 28. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle as it ran a red light while turning onto Pleasant Street, where it then stopped before the pair exited and fled on foot. Through further investigation, Reading Police determined that the truck had crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries as a result of the crash.

Both men were captured a short time later with the assistance of additional Reading Police officers, as well as Massachusetts State Police, through the support of civilian witnesses. During the foot pursuit, PHILIP CARTER allegedly damaged a portion of fencing.

After being taken into custody, both men were searched and officers found several dozen pills, including Clonidine, Clonazepam and Gabapentin — all Class E narcotics — in PETER CARTER’S possession.

Additionally, officers found a large amount of cash and a plastic bag containing a substance consistent with heroin, as well as second bag containing an unknown white substance in PHILIP CARTER’S possession.

During a subsequent inventory of the suspects’ vehicle, officers located a variety of fireworks, a syringe containing a brown liquid consistent with heroin.

“This arrest is the result of a concerted effort by several officers, and would not have been possible without the support of the Massachusetts State Police and eyewitnesses who helped officers locate the suspects,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “I want to thank everyone who assisted in apprehending these individuals, and I’m grateful that several dangerous narcotics were taken off our streets.”

Reading Police detectives are working with Andover Police detectives to support the Andover Police Department’s ongoing investigation.

###