New Bedford police arrest 15 on various charges in County Street crackdown
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — New Bedford police detectives arrested 15 people in the County Street bar district over a two day span in response to recent complaints about the area.
On August 28 at 1:30 p.m., Edmilson Gomes, 28, of New Bedford was arrested for allegedly selling crack cocaine to Elisha Scott-Matwana, 56, who was also taken into custody.
Additionally, Carlos Tavares, 41, of New Bedford, was arrested for allegedly brokering the deal.
Edmilson had been arrested three times in 2024 for drug-related offenses.
Darren Andrade, 36, of New Bedford, was arrested for allegedly selling crack cocaine to Jessica Brennan, 27, and Sandra Duarte, 49, both of whom were also arrested.
On August 29, Carlos Tavares was stopped again by detectives less than a day after being arrested.
Tavares was in a vehicle with Jason Cook, 32, of New Bedford, and both were allegedly found to be in possession of crack-cocaine and fentanyl.
Around 4 p.m., Yariluz Segarra-Mendez, 41, of New Bedford was observed on County Street and was found to have an active warrant and was taken into custody.
She was seen again several hours later with Jessica Brennan, who had also been arrested the previous day, and both were allegedly found to be in possession of crack-cocaine.
Segarra-Mendez was also allegedly found to be in possession of fentanyl and $200 in cash.
Several hours later, Brittany Todman, 33, was allegedly observed buying crack-cocaine from Guilherme Jalo, 22.
Jalo was found to be in possession of $690 in cash, according to police, and he and Todman were both placed under arrest.
Jesus Garcia-Garcia, 53, and Jacqueline Erica Jeremiah, 50, both with active arrest warrants, were observed by detectives and taken into custody.
Claudio Monteiro, 42, of New Bedford, was observed leaving a County Street address and was allegedly found to have crack cocaine in his possession, as well as two active warrants.
Christopher Barboza, 51, of New Bedford, was found to be in possession of crack-cocaine and also had an active arrest warrant, according to police.
“It’s noteworthy that we continue to arrest the same people for the same offenses within very short periods,” said New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira.
“This is emblematic of the revolving door that continues to spin. I am sympathetic to the business and property owners who have contacted us regarding these same offenders who continue to disrupt their daily lives. I’m also proud of these officers who continue to serve the public fervently despite the discouragement they experience in seeing the same offenders out on the streets again so quickly.”
55 arrests have been made on County Street in 2024.
