2 Californians Arrested in Maine with $15K Worth of Crack Cocaine

Two men from California are facing charges in Maine after fleeing from police and trying to throw away a large amount of crack cocaine.

Who Are the Suspects?

It was just before 9:00 Wednesday evening when Auburn Police Officers conducted a traffic stop near 48 Hampshire Street. The vehicle contained the driver, Marqelle Perry, 27, and his passenger, Jeremiah Reed, 31, both of Palmdale, California.

Police were talking to Reed outside the vehicle when he suddenly took off on foot. While some of the officers chased after Reed, Perry jumped behind the wheel and sped down Hampshire Street, ignoring all traffic control devices. Perry eventually crashed the vehicle behind the Hilton Garden Inn and then fled on foot in the direction of the Androscoggin River.

Where Were the Drugs Found?

Both of the suspects were taken into custody quickly. Perry was nabbed by an Auburn Police Officer, while Reed was caught by an Androscoggin County Sheriff's Deputy who stopped to assist in the incident. Before Reed was stopped, he was seen throwing an unknown object onto the roof of a nearby business. With assistance from the Auburn Fire Department, officers were able to get onto the roof, where they found a clear plastic bag in the snow. Inside the baggie were 177 grams of crack cocaine, with a street value of approximately $15,000.

What Charges Do They Face?

The men were arrested for the following charges:

• Jeremiah Reed - refusing to submit to arrest, aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs, and falsifying physical evidence.
• Perry - refusing to submit to arrest and driving to endanger.

Reed's bail was set at $2,500 cash and Perry's at $150 cash.

Anyone with information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in their community is urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement Office closest to them in person, or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.