Worcester Man Arrested for Possession of Cocaine

Friday, March 24, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

A Worcester man was arrested while hiding out in back of a business on 286 Pleasant Street with possession of cocaine.

Laron Penn, 30, of Worcester was charged with trespassing, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, possession of a class B substance and possession of class b substance with the intent to distribute.

The Incident

On Wednesday, March 22, members of the WPD Gang Unit were patrolling the Main South area of the city. At approximately 9:00 p.m., the gang officers were checking the rear of 286 Pleasant Street. This address has been problematic for some time and officers have been working with nearby businesses and property owners to eradicate the problems and help create a safer environment for customers.

At this time the officers saw a man whom they recognized as Penn standing in the rear. The gang officers know this man as an active member of a local gang.

There are several clearly posted no trespassing signs in the area.

Officers approached Penn for the purpose of finding out why he was on the property. Penn turned away as he noticed the officers approaching. He began to run through one of the businesses as the officers got near. Penn ran out the front door and onto Pleasant Street. He continued to run in the middle of Pleasant Street with members of the Gang Unit chasing after him. One of the gang officers caught up to Penn and tackled him in the middle of the road. Penn continued to resist officers as they tried to place him in handcuffs.

After he was finally secured a search of Mr. Penn produced three small baggies of crack cocaine.