Hanover, Mass. Man Arrested After Police Pursuit, Foot Chase and Alleged Drug Trafficking

Man Arrested After Police Pursuit, Foot Chase and Alleged Drug Trafficking

HANOVER, Mass. — A routine traffic stop in Hanover Wednesday night turned into a vehicle pursuit and brief foot chase before police arrested a Brockton man who is now facing multiple drug trafficking charges.

Paulo Vasconcelos Barbosa Jr., of Brockton, was taken into custody after allegedly fleeing from a Hanover police officer who attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding, according to Hanover Police Chief Timothy Kane. The incident began at approximately 10 p.m. on Circuit Street.

According to police, an officer conducting traffic enforcement observed a blue pickup truck turn onto Summer Street at a high rate of speed. The officer followed the truck and reportedly observed it continue to increase its speed while crossing over the center line multiple times.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle. The pickup truck initially slowed and pulled over near 100 Summer Street, but police said the driver then accelerated and fled toward Rockland.

Hanover police pursued the vehicle with assistance from Rockland police officers. Officers maintained visual contact with the pickup as the pursuit continued before the vehicle eventually returned to Hanover.

The pickup truck ultimately pulled into a driveway on Webster Street. Police said Barbosa exited the vehicle through the passenger side and ran into a heavily wooded area.

A brief foot pursuit followed, and responding officers were able to take Barbosa into custody.

Police said a large quantity of suspected illicit narcotics and approximately $28,000 in cash were seized during the investigation.

Barbosa faces several charges, including failure to stop for police, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, a marked-lanes violation and speeding.

He is also charged with trafficking in heroin in the 100-to-200-gram range, trafficking in cocaine in the 100-to-200-gram range and trafficking in methamphetamine in the 36-to-100-gram range.

Following his arrest, Barbosa was held overnight at the Hanover Police Department. He was arraigned Thursday in Hingham District Court, where he was ordered held in custody.

A dangerousness hearing was scheduled for Friday in Hingham District Court.

The allegations are criminal charges, and Barbosa is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The case remains pending as it moves through the court system.

The incident highlights how a traffic enforcement stop can quickly develop into a larger police investigation. What began with allegations of speeding and unsafe driving ultimately led officers through Hanover and toward Rockland before the suspect returned to Hanover and fled on foot.

Plimoth Today will continue to follow the case and provide updates as additional court or police information becomes available.

Source: Hanover Police Chief Timothy Kane / Hanover Police Department.