WEBSTER — A man was arrested Monday after breaking into the Webster Animal Shelter and attempting to take his dogs, which led to the discovery of a significant amount of methamphetamine in his vehicle, police said.
Taj Wood, 25, of Cooper Road, was taken into custody around 3:50 p.m. after Webster Police Animal Control Officer Roussin, who had previously opened an animal neglect investigation into Wood’s care of his dogs, called for police assistance when Wood became confrontational.
When officers arrived, Wood was trying to leave the shelter in his vehicle, but Officer J.
Brooks stopped him.
Despite Wood’s uncooperative behavior, he was detained with the help of Chief Shaw, Lieutenant Wentworth, Officer Cedeno, and Officer Donovan.
The investigation revealed that Wood had not provided proper documentation to reclaim his dogs and proceeded to remove them forcibly from the shelter, prompting Officer Roussin to seek police help.
While searching Wood’s vehicle, Officer Donovan located a sandwich bag containing 126.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine pills, which were confirmed to be the drug through analysis.
Wood, who is on electronic monitoring for previous charges including armed home invasion and assault, as well as firearms offenses, is now facing charges of methamphetamine trafficking, larceny, animal cruelty, breaking and entering, and trespassing.
He is being held on $50,000 cash bail and is scheduled for arraignment at the Dudley District Court on Tuesday.
