Medford Man Faces Drug Charges Again
A 53-year-old Medford man accused of heroin possession before his East Arlington shop was closed last summer again faces drug charges after police say he ignored a stop sign at Bow and Lowell.
Louis L. Gersh, 53, of Cotting Street, was charged with drug possession, driving with a suspended license and failure to stop after police said he did not stop at 5:09 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.
An Arlington police officer provided this account: He saw a car driven by Gersh headed westbound on Bow Street toward Downing Square. After the driver failed to stop, the officer activated his cruiser lights and siren and pulled over.
In the car were Gersh, who police said is “well known to this department for extensive drug issues,” was told why he was stopped. Three other officers and the policy dog, Dasty, arrived.
Arlington dispatch notified officers on scene that Gersh’s license status was suspended. Gersh was handcuffed and arrested.
The female passenger, also well known to police for drug use, was removed from the car. She told officers that Gersh had just picked her up at her friend’s house in Arlington and was bringing her to her mother’s house in another town.
She said she has drug a problem and is trying to get treatment. She said she had no drugs on her but did shoot heroin this morning. She consented to a search of her person as well as her pocketbook, and no drugs were found.
A fifth officer arrived. When the motor vehicle was inventoried, officers saw 100 small, clear plastic bags about 4 inches long known to be used in illegal narcotics.
Because the woman admitted using drugs earlier in the day and in the light of the plastic bags found, the K9 officer Dasty searched the car. No drugs were found in the motor vehicle.
Also found was an assortment of jewelry. Since officers were unable to ascertain the value of the rings and bracelets, they were taken to the station and placed in an evidence locker for safekeeping.
During search, officers found Gersh had a blue half pill. He said it was a Viagra and that he had a prescription but was unable to provide it.
Last July, Arlington police arrested Gersh at his Medford home following a warrant issued by the Cambridge District Court on charges of possessing with intent to distribute heroin and receiving stolen property valued at more than $250, both felonies.
He was arrested July 14 and held without bail, but was released because of overcrowding. Arlington police obtained and executed a search warrant on his place of business at 87 Warren St.. As a result of this search a large quantity of drugs and stolen property were recovered.
Asked what business is at 87 Warren, a police spokesman said, “Gersh Auctioneers.” In 2010, Louis L. Gersh Auctions operated at 240 Boston Ave., Medford.