Taunton Man Faces Multiple Charges After Leading Police on Chase

TAUNTON — A Taunton man faces a host of drug-related charges after large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine were found by officers following a car pursuit early Tuesday morning.

Taunton Police say at approximately 12:25 a.m., Sgt. James Casey was traveling east on Winthrop Street, also known as Route 44, when he observed a red Mercedes C Sedan with a Massachusetts license plate traveling westbound on the same roadway.

Noticing that the Mercedes had a headlight out, Sgt. Casey reversed direction and initiated a traffic stop.  The vehicle initially stopped on Winthrop Street in the area of Camp Ramsbottom, but then took off as Sgt. Casey approached the driver’s side window.  Sgt. Casey pursued the vehicle and caught up to it after it took a right onto Anawan Street.

The fleeing Mercedes came to a stop in the middle of the road as Sgt. Casey observed the driver move to the passenger seat, while the front seat passenger exited the vehicle and ran around it in attempt to get in the driver's seat.  In addition to the two individuals seated in the front of the car, a female was located in the rear passenger seat.  All three were ordered out of the vehicle and asked to lie in a prone position.

The operator was identified as 34-year-old James Mitchell, of Prospect Street in Taunton.  It was learned that Mitchell had a suspended driver's license.  During an inventory of the vehicle officers found a large amount of drugs suspected to be heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Mitchell was transported to the Rehoboth Police Station for booking.  Bail was set at $7,540 and Mitchell was transported to the New Bedford House of Corrections.

He’s charged with the following: (1) Drug distribute Class A subsequent Offense.  (2) Drug Distribute Class B Subsequent offense.  (3) Failure to Stop for Police.  (4) License suspended operation of a motor vehicle with; subsequent offense.  (5) Defective Equipment.  The passengers of the vehicle were released without charges at this time.

Mitchell is due to appear in Taunton District Court at approximately 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.