Somerville Police Arrest Man With Drugs, Cash After Car Chase

SOMERVILLE – A man was arrested Thursday morning after leading police on foot through an Avalon parking garage and discovering a significant amount of drugs and cash.

On October 17 at 8:06 a.m., Somerville Police responded to a report of a suspicious person looking in car windows at 333 Great River Road.

Security personnel alerted officers to the suspect’s location in the garage and provided a detailed description.

The suspect, 36-year-old Claude Pelissier of Everett, attempted to flee on foot as police approached him.

During the chase, he dropped a black backpack and eventually stopped due to exhaustion. He admitted that there were several arrest warrants against him.

While recovering the backpack, officers found a large stash of illegal drugs and cash valued at $9,670.

The drugs included crack cocaine, powder cocaine, morphine tablets, liquid methadone, oxycodone tablets, gabapentin tablets, clonazepam tablets and 150 grams of marijuana.

There was also a significant amount of methamphetamine over 28 grams, resulting in a drug trafficking charge.

Pelissier is charged with possession with intent to distribute various controlled substances, including subsequent felonies, and trafficking in a Class “B” substance.

Somerville police also seized a digital scale as part of the arrest.

The outstanding warrants from Malden and Boston were confirmed, adding to Pelissier’s list of charges.

He is currently being held by authorities in Somerville while the investigation continues.