CLINTON — On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 6:34 p.m., Officer Gerald Guerra of the Clinton Police Department was on patrol in an unmarked police cruiser when a black Jeep Compass driving ahead of him on Water Street “caught his attention.”
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Guerra and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“The vehicle, bearing MA Reg: [redacted] failed to maintain its proper lane when the left two tires went over the marked double yellow lines in the area of Water Street and Schley Street,” Officer Guerra said. “After I observed this, I activated the blue emergency lights to conduct a motor vehicle stop. I radioed my location to dispatch and exited my cruiser.”
Officer Guerra approached the driver’s side of the vehicle where he was met with the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Wellington Gomes DaSilva.
According to police Wellington Gomes DaSilva, 20, is a resident of 469 Main Street, Clinton, MA.
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“I informed him of the reason for the stop and requested his license and registration,” Officer Guerra said. “Wellington told me he only speaks Portuguese. I asked him if he had a driver’s license which he told me he didn’t. I asked him if he had any type of identification. He told me he had no identification on his person and does not have a valid driver’s license.”
At this time, Officer Alexander Ruel arrived on scene to assist.
“I asked Wellington to step out of the vehicle which he did,” Officer Guerra said. “Dispatch confirmed that Wellington’s right to operate in Massachusetts is suspended and that he has an outstanding warrant out of Lowell District Court. I informed Wellington of this information. He was placed under arrest, in handcuffs (DL) [double locked] and escorted to the rear of Patrolman Ruel’s cruiser for transport to the Clinton Police station where he was booked and afforded all applicable rights pertaining to anyone including Miranda and a phone call which he made. Prior to transport, Wellington informed me that he didn’t go to court because he left his ‘paperwork’ in an Uber.”
Officer Guerra asked Officer Kristopher Vazquez to come to his location to conduct a motor vehicle inventory and then request a tow to the scene.
“Once Officer Vazquez arrived, I went to the police station to assist with booking as there was a language barrier,” Officer Guerra said. “Guaranty Auto later arrived on scene and took possession of the vehicle.”
Officer Guerra said that while in booking, DaSilva was given a copy of his Miranda rights and booking sheet in Portuguese.
“I asked him if he knew how to read Portuguese which he confirmed and completed the booking sheet,” Officer Guerra said. “I contacted the bail commissioner and bail was set. Wellington was then escorted to a male holding cell. It should be noted that during my initial interaction with Wellington, I spoke Spanish to him which he understood.”
DaSilva was charged with the following:
- Operating Motor Vehicle with Suspended License
- Marked Lanes Violation
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from December, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to get the court documents for the incident. FOIAs are time consuming.
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