Stamford Man Busted for Glass Pipe, a Needle and Heroin

A Stamford man was arrested on narcotics charges after officers responding to a possible shoplifting at Rite Aid Pharmacy questioned him on April 12.

Matthew Hernandez, 22, of Old Barn Road was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotics and released on $500 bond for an April 30 court date.

At around 4:50 p.m. on April 12, the manager of the Rite Aid at 435 Main Street became suspicious upon seeing Hernandez enter the store carrying a CVS bag and wandering around, according to police, who said she called them about a possible shoplifting.

Police said Hernandez appeared nervous when officers talked to him and kept rapidly reaching into the inside pocket of his coat. An officer grabbed his hand so he couldn't take anything out, then he was patted down for safety, police said.

During the pat down, police said a cylindrical object that Hernandez admitted was a pipe used smoke narcotics was found. He also told the officers he had "a heroin needle and stuff" in his pocket, according to the report.

Officers found one needle, a glass pipe and a small bag with white powder which field tested positive for heroin, police said.