Short Police Chase Ends With Heroin Arrests

A quick police chase through a portion of downtown Beverly on Monday afternoon ended with the arrest of two alleged heroin dealers from Salem.

It started at about 4:30 p.m. Monday on Arthur Street when officers went to make arrests as the result of an from an investigation by Officer April Clarizia, which led to the recovery of $400 worth of heroin, according to Officer Michael Boccuzzi, a Beverly police spokesman.

There was a “a brief car chase” where officers chased the two men to the corner of Federal and Park streets, where they were both arrested.

Kevin Mejia, 22, of Salem was charged with distribution of Class A drugs (heroin), conspiracy to violate drug laws, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police and several motor vehicle violations, police said. Leonel Gonzalez, 21, of Salem, was charged with distribution of Class A drugs (heroin) and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

Boccuzzi said the assault with a dangerous weapon charge against Mejia stem from his attempt to flee in a car in reverse down Arthur Street ”at a high rate of speed.”

Beverly police officers Kenneth Rollins and Harold Geary plus detectives from the Beverly Police Criminal Investigations Division assisted Clarizia with the arrests.