Man Ran From Cops, Resisted Drug Arrest: Police

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable police are accusing a man of intent to distribute fentanyl and resisting arrest after a physical struggle Sunday, according to a social media post by the department.

Police say on Sunday, around 12:20 p.m., two officers saw Alvin Patterson as he made a suspected drug transaction and get into a taxi. They pulled the taxi over in the parking lot of 290 W. Main St.

As police walked up to the taxi, they saw Patterson put a plastic bag into his waistband, police say. Patterson was taken out of the car and frisked, which revealed a folding knife, the social media post says, before Patterson ran off.

One officer chased down Patterson, who is 6-foot-4 and about 315 pounds, and took him to the ground, where Patterson began to resist arrest, police say.

During the struggle, police say, Patterson pulled out the bag from his waistband, which had about 20 grams of suspected fentanyl. He ripped the bag open, police say, "exposing officers to a cloud of the deadly narcotic."

Patterson was finally handcuffed and taken into custody after an officer used a Taser. But, while in handcuffs, police say, Patterson kicked the pile of fentanyl, further spreading it into the air.

Patterson was charged with possession of a class A substance with intent to distribute and resisting arrest.