BEDFORD — A Bedford man was arrested on drug-related charges on Sunday, September 8, following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
According to a probable cause affidavit released by the Bedford Police Department, officers responded to a welfare check request at the Dollar General located at 2417 John Williams Boulevard. The caller had reported that a man in an older red Chevrolet S-10 truck, which had been parked in the lot the previous day, might be intoxicated and in possession of drugs.
When Sgt. Toby Gerkin arrived, he observed the red truck leaving the parking lot. The vehicle was seen turning west onto John Williams Blvd. without signaling. Sgt. Gerkin noticed that a ball hitch partially obstructed the truck’s license plate, prompting him to initiate a traffic stop.
The driver, Thomas B. Bartlett, 63, initially claimed he was watching a video on his phone and denied any illegal activity. Bartlett could provide his driver’s license but could not produce vehicle registration. After consenting to a search of his vehicle, Bartlett was asked to step out and stand with Officer Jones while Sgt. Gerkin checked Bartlett’s information.
During this time, Bartlett repeatedly reached into his pockets despite being instructed not to. Officer Jones searched Bartlett’s person and discovered a plastic tube resembling an ink pen, which was found to contain crystal meth.
Bartlett admitted that the substance in the pen was meth, which he used for personal consumption, and that he had last used it the previous morning.
Bartlett was arrested and transported to jail on charges of possession of meth and drug paraphernalia.
Police inventoried Bartlett’s truck and it was towed by Bland’s Wrecker Service. No additional illegal items were found in the vehicle.
