Pit Bull Fatally Shot, Four Arrested in New Bedford Drug Raid

NEW BEDFORD — Narcotics detectives took a stolen pistol, nearly 30 rounds of ammunition and cocaine off the street, and arrested four known gang members, during a drug raid on Tallman Street, an address known for a high numbers of disturbances.

A dog was also killed during the raid.

Narcotics detectives executed a search warrant Wednesday at 104 Tallman Street, Apartment 1, following an investigation into a cocaine distribution service being operated out of that address.

As a result of the search, officers found a stolen .25 caliber pistol, 25 rounds of .38 special ammunition, four rounds of .25 caliber ammunition, over 10 grams of cocaine packaged for street sale, packaging materials, digital scales and cash.

Police made the following arrests:

Richard Lee Hernandez, 36, of Tallman Street, New Bedford, on possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm without a license; improper storage of a firearm; receiving stolen property; possession of a firearm without a license, subsequent offense; possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, subsequent offense; two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition; and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Luis Michael Santiago, 20, of Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, on possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Esteban Melendez, 20, 280 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, on possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

And a 17-year-old juvenile for trafficking in cocaine.

The three adults all have open cases.

Hernandez has a long criminal record, with nearly 50 arraignments. He is currently on bail at New Bedford District Court on a charge of burning a motor vehicle after he smashed windows, flattened tires and placed a rag in the gas tank and set the vehicle on fire in a domestic-related incident.

Santiago currently has an open case in Taunton District Court for escape/aiding in an escape. That charge was continued through Nov. 22, 2019.

Melendez has an open case in New Bedford District Court for receiving stolen property. That case was scheduled to be heard Aug. 30, 2018.

In the course of the raid, four pit bills came at officers aggressively. Shots were fired to scare off the dogs, and three of them fled. Another dog continued to charge at an officer and was fatally shot.

The address where the raid took place is well known to police. The address has been the site of 26 disturbance calls since Jan. 1 of this year.

--New Bedford Police Department