RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan reports that the Raynham Police Department arrested three individuals earlier today on multiple drugs and weapons charges after a report of shoplifting at a business in town.
JOHN BUTLER, 36, OF BROCKTON, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number
- Possession of a loaded firearm
- Possession of a large capacity firearm without a license
- Possession of a large capacity feeding device
- Possession of ammunition without a license
- Possession of a Class B substance (methamphetamines)
- Resisting arrest
- Shoplifting
JOHN PATRICK, 34, OF TAUNTON, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Class B substance (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute
- Shoplifting
MELISSA MENDES, 42, OF TAUNTON, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Class B substance (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute
- Shoplifting
At approximately 2:50 p.m. Saturday, Raynham Police were dispatched to Walmart on Paramount Drive for the report of three active shoplifters. Once on scene police located the shoplifters and officers attempted to arrest them.
One male shoplifter, later identified as BUTLER, attempted to flee on foot from officers. After a brief struggle he was placed in handcuffs and arrested. During the arrest police located a loaded 9 mm defaced handgun with an extended high capacity magazine and 30 9mm rounds on BUTLER. Officers also located a small amount of a Class B substance believed to be methamphetamines on his person.
The other two shoplifters, later identified as PATRICK and MENDES, were placed under arrest without incident. During the arrest police located multiple baggies of a Class B substance believed to be methamphetamines, multiple empty baggies, weights, and a combined total of approximately $620 in cash on them.
BUTLER, PATRICK and MENDES are expected to be arraigned in Taunton District Court on Monday.
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