WORCESTER — A Worcester Police officer’s routine patrol turned into a high-speed pursuit resulting in the arrest of a man for fentanyl trafficking early Thursday morning.
At about 3:51 a.m. on Feb. 22, an officer noticed a vehicle pulled over on Main St with several individuals standing around it.
Upon the officer’s approach, the vehicle’s driver turned off the headlights and sped off.
The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as Jorge Virella, 37, of Southbridge, engaged in erratic, high-speed driving and failed to comply.
The officer did not pursue the fleeing vehicle but alerted other units with a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) advisory.
Approximately 29 minutes later, at about 4:20 a.m., another officer located the vehicle in a Pembroke St parking lot.
Responding officers attempted to coax Virella out of the vehicle, facing initial resistance.
Virella eventually cooperated and was taken into custody.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered a significant quantity of suspected fentanyl and multiple open alcohol containers.
Virella faces multiple charges, including trafficking in fentanyl over 10 grams, operating to endanger, failure to stop for police, and possession of an open container of alcohol.
