Drugs taken from driver

By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON — Three people were arrested early Sunday morning following a traffic stop on Bridge Road in Northampton that revealed a stash of crack cocaine.

Police arrested the driver of the vehicle, Jeffrey Allen Pulito, 39, of Southington, Conn., on charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs and possessing a class B drug. Passenger Dawn Marie Lewis, 38, of Southington, was arrested on a charge of possession of a class B drug with intent to distribute. Another passenger, Heather May Pearce, 35, of Winchendon, was arrested on a charge of possession of a class B drug and three East Brookfield District Court warrants.

According to court documents, at 12:13 a.m. Officer Sean Casella was driving west on Bridge Road when he noticed a vehicle fluctuating in speed and weaving from one side of the road to the other. Casella reported that after turning on his lights and siren, the car continued down the road before going over the curb at St. Mary’s Cemetery and traveling another 200 feet before slowing to a stop.

When Casella approached the vehicle, Lewis was reportedly wearing only a bra and no underwear and all three people appeared to be under the influence of drugs. When he asked what they were doing, Lewis reportedly told Casella the two women were “making out.” Pulito reportedly told police that Lewis was his wife and Pearce was his girlfriend.

Plainly visible inside the car, police said, were a scrub brush and glass vial containing a small imitation rose. Both items are commonly used to smoke crack, according to police. A search of the car turned up 13 bags, or 1.6 grams, of crack cocaine hidden inside a cigarette pack, police said.

Judge Richard J. Carey ordered Pearce and Lewis held on $1,000 personal surety and Pulito held on $500 cash or $5,000 surety. None of the three posted bail Monday and all are scheduled to reappear in court on July 31.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com