Routine traffic stop leads to heroin, gun charges

Anthony Cook (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Rochester man pulled over by police earlier this month on a routine traffic stop ended up being arrested on a slew of charges, including heroin possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Anthony Cook, 25, of 8 Cove Court, was also charged with operating after suspension as a result of his arrest.

The bizarre sequence of events began a little before 3 p.m. on July 12 when dispatch received a call for a report of a possible DWI involving a white Cadillac with a Florida registration operating in the area of Walnut Street and on to North Main Street.

Soon afterward Rochester Police Officer Randy Smith observed the vehicle on North Main Street crossing the yellow line and performed a motor vehicle stop.

Upon identifying the driver it was discovered his license was under suspension by the state of New Hampshire, according to a press release just issued by Rochester Police on Friday.

It was further determined on scene, however, that the operator was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Cook was then arrested and charged with a minor class B misdemeanor for operating after suspension.

Then during a search of Cook's vehicle police discovered a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and drug paraphernalia. Cook had previous felony convictions for drug possession and burglary, so it was illegal for him to possess a firearm. He was then charged with being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, a Class A felony punishable by up to 15 years in state prison.

During the booking process back at the station officers discovered Cook was concealing more than 10 grams of heroin, leading to a second Class A felony charge of heroin possession with intent to distribute.

Cook was arraigned on July 13 and remains today at Strafford County Jail on $25,000 cash bail pending disposition of his cases.