Two arrested on charges of possession of heroin and cocaine in Rindge

Rindge police recently arrested two people on charges of possession of heroin and cocaine and charged one of them with identity fraud after he allegedly misidentified himself to police.

On Saturday, May 14, at 12:43 a.m., Rindge Police stopped a vehicle on Route 119 near Payson Hill Road for speeding, according to a release issued by the Rindge Police Department. Based on observations made during the stop, officers requested and were given consent to search the vehicle. They allegedly located several "loaded" syringes, approximately 2 grams of heroin, approximately 2 1/2 grams of crack cocaine, a vial of liquid heroin and almost $2,500 cash, as well as numerous other drug-related contraband items.

Police arrested the vehicle’s passenger, Melissa Dustin, 37, of Athol, Mass., on a charge of two counts of possession of a controlled drug, which is a Class B felony. The vehicle’s driver identified himself to police as Jared Gove, and police also arrested him, charging him with a single count of possession of a controlled drug. The vehicle was towed from the scene, and Dustin and Gove were released from custody on personal recognizance bail.

That same day, police were requested to do a welfare check on two people reportedly sleeping in a vehicle at the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Route 119 at around 3:45 p.m. When police arrived, they located Dustin and Gove. Following additional investigation, police learned that Gove had allegedly misidentified himself to police by providing his brother’s information earlier that day. His actual identity was Justin Gove, 32, of Ashby, Mass.

Gove was arrested again on an outstanding electronic bench warrant. Police also allegedly found Gove’s license was suspended, and in addition to the arrest on the warrant, charged him with driving after suspension as well as identity fraud, which is a Class A felony.

Gove was released on $1,300 cash bail on his subsequent arrest. Both Gove and Dustin are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at the Cheshire Superior Court on Thursday, June 16, at 1 p.m.

]]>