Men Fleeing Middleborough Cops Leave $10K of Cannabis and Edibles in Car

Middleborough police arrested two New Bedford men after they fled from a vehicle during a traffic stop Wednesday afternoon, according to Police Chief Joseph Perkins.

Police say they seized approximately $10,000 worth of marijuana and marijuana edibles as a result of the arrests. In searching their vehicle, officers say they found approximately two-and-a-half pounds of marijuana and 80 bags of marijuana edibles.

Duane Silva, 43, and Dereck Hunt, 48, are charged with conspiracy to violate the drug law, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Silva is additionally charged with trespassing on school grounds.

According to police, around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a Middleborough police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a suspended registration at the intersection of Center Street and Pearl Street. The officer followed the vehicle as the driver turned onto multiple streets before hitting a parked car on Pearl Street at a low rate of speed.

Three occupants of the vehicle, including Silva and Hunt, then fled on foot. The Burkland Elementary School was placed in a brief lockdown. The school resource officer at Burkland arrested Silva in the school parking lot.

Hunt was located near the intersection of Mitchell Street and Woodland Avenue and placed under arrest. The third suspect, a heavyset male, was still being sought by police.

Both men were held on $5,040 bail and expected to be arraigned today in Wareham District Court.