WEBSTER — On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at approximately 12:29 a.m., Webster Police Officer Alex Johnson was patrolling East Main Street when he noticed a brown Range Rover with Massachusetts plates traveling eastbound ahead of his cruiser.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Alex Johnson and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“While traveling behind the vehicle, I was unable to read the license plate from the required 60 feet per MGL, due to a license plate cover that was covering the actual plate itself,” Officer Johnson said. “I had to position myself closely behind the vehicle in order to read the license plate. Once I was able to read the registration, I conducted a CJIS [Criminal Justice Information Services] query, which indicated the vehicle had a failed inspection sticker as of June 18th, 2025.”
Officer Johnson said that while he was driving behind the vehicle, he observed the tires on the passenger side to be straddling the white fog line on the right side of the road.
“The vehicle drove like this for several hundred yards before the operator corrected the vehicle,” Officer Johnson said. “Due to the aforementioned number plate and inspection violations, I eventually activated all emergency lighting just as the vehicle crossed through the intersection of East Main Street, Worcester Road, Thompson Road, and Gore Road.”
Officer Johnson said the vehicle slowed down on as proceeded onto Gore Road, but it didn’t stop.
“We passed the Hometown Bank parking lot as well as the Price Chopper parking lot, which were both on Gore Road and accessible from the eastbound traffic lane,” Officer Johnson said. “The vehicle was traveling over the white fog line at this point, and continuing at a very slow rate of speed. The type of driving characteristics displayed by the vehicle as it continued to drive, could be best described as ‘slow rolling.’ Through my training and experience as a police officer for nearly 10 years, I recognize this to be behavior displayed by someone who is in a ‘fight or flight’ state of mind, deciding on what their next course of action will be. Furthermore, this type of behavior is also consistent with someone who is ‘buying time’ and possibly attempting to conceal contraband or arm themselves with a firearm or other type of weapon prior to being stopped by the police.”
Officer Johnson said the vehicle eventually stopped on Gore Road near the entrance to the I-395 southbound on-ramp.
“This area is currently an active construction zone and the road is extremely narrow in both the eastbound and westbound traffic lanes due to the ongoing roadwork,” Officer Johnson said.
Officer Johnson got out of his cruiser and approached the vehicle at the passenger-side window, where he saw a lone male occupant behind the wheel.
“As I approached the passenger’s side of the vehicle, I was met with an overwhelming smell of burnt marijuana coming from within the vehicle itself,” Officer Johnson said. “The odor was so strong that one could smell the burnt marijuana from several feet outside the vehicle. The odor was indicative of someone who may have just smoked marijuana within the vehicle itself. Through my training and experience, there is a distinct difference in the smell of burnt marijuana versus raw, unsmoked marijuana.”
Officer Johnson said that when he made contact with the driver, later identified as Andrew Simpson, he introduced himself and asked for his license and registration.
According to police, Andrew O. Simpson, 47, is a resident of Park Avenue, Worcester, MA.
“Andrew looked at me in a confused manner while he held his cell phone in his hand,” Officer Johnson said. “Andrew didn’t answer me at first, but then looked and said, ‘What’s the problem?’ in a delayed, slow manner.”
Officer Johnson reported that Simpson repeated himself, asking, “What’s the problem? Why did you pull me over?”
Officer Johnson advised Simpson that there were plate covers covering his license plate and that he had a failed inspection sticker.
“Andrew looked forward before saying that it wasn’t his vehicle,” Officer Johnson said. “I had to ask Andrew two more times for his license and registration. Andrew was finally able to provide the documents I requested, in a slow and methodical manner.”
Officer Johnson asked Simpson where he was coming from that evening and he said “107 School Street.”
“When I asked Andrew if he lived at 107 School Street, he replied, ‘I don’t answer questions,’” Officer Johnson said. “While speaking with Andrew, I observed his eyes to be red and bloodshot. I asked Andrew how much marijuana he smoked this evening, to which he replied ‘earlier, in the daytime.’”
Officer Johnson then asked Simpson how much marijuana he smoked.
“Andrew paused before saying ‘just a blunt,’” Officer Johnson said. “A ‘blunt’ is a street term for a marijuana-rolled cigarette. I proceeded to ask Andrew how many hours ago he smoked the marijuana. Andrew could not provide me with a specific number, just repeating, ‘earlier in the day, in the daytime.’ While continuing my conversation with Andrew, I asked him if he drank alcohol or if he used any other drugs. Andrew replied, ‘No, why?’”
Officer Johnson informed Simpson that his responses were noticeably delayed, his eyes appeared bloodshot, and a strong odor of burnt marijuana was emanating from inside the vehicle.
“Andrew began to ask me if my ‘recording’ was on, and stated he didn’t have to answer my questions,” Officer Johnson said. “While saying this, Andrew slurred his speech and stuttered multiple times. I eventually returned to my cruiser and advised dispatch of Andrew’s information. I conducted a CJIS check of Andrew’s Board of Probation (BOP) [record], which showed Andrew had an extensive record of violent felonies with firearms and knives, as well as drug trafficking/distribution charges.”
At this time, Officer Bryan Blomgren arrived on scene to assist.
“Due to the suspicion that Andrew may be impaired due to the consumption of marijuana, I re-approached the vehicle on the driver’s side and requested Andrew out of the vehicle,” Officer Johnson said. “Andrew’s window was only down a small amount and he refused to exit, stating he wanted a supervisor to be present. I advised Andrew he needed to step out of the vehicle or I was going to have to remove him from the vehicle. Andrew’s unwillingness to exit the vehicle, along with all the other aforementioned observations (and Andrew’s violent criminal history), led me to believe that Andrew was purposely buying time to potentially arm himself with a weapon to harm or kill officers. At this point, I had reasonable suspicion to believe that Andrew was armed and dangerous, which warranted a pat frisk of his person and the immediate reachable area within the vehicle itself.”
Simpson still refused to exit the vehicle, stating that he didn’t feel safe and that he wanted a supervisor to be present.
Officer Johnson said that, at one point, Andrew lifted his left hand up and blocked the unlock button on the car door in order to prevent him from opening the door.
“As he did this, Andrew shifted his torso away from me and concealed his right hand so that I couldn’t see it,” Officer Johnson said. “Andrew then put his left hand down and reached down towards the floor area. Fearing that Andrew was attempting to arm himself, I advised him to place his hands where I could see them.”
At this time, Sergeant Joseph Reed arrived at the scene and told Simpson to exit the vehicle.
“Andrew rolled his window down, but still refused to exit saying, ‘I don’t know why he pulling me out of the vehicle,’” Officer Johnson said. “I told Andrew I was going to request him to submit to roadside assessment tests, to which Andrew said, ‘I don’t have time for none of this. He smelled marijuana? That’s not a reason to pull me out of the car.”
Officer Johnson said Sergeant Reed was able to unlock the driver’s door through the window, at which point Simpson “finally” exited the vehicle.
“A pat frisk was conducted of Andrew’s person for the safety of officers present. I then directed Andrew over to a parking lot that was to the right side of his vehicle,” Officer Johnson said. “While walking over to the parking lot, Andrew was looking all around him in a paranoid manner. Through my training and experience as an ARIDE [Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement] certified police officer, I am aware that side effects from the consumption of marijuana can include paranoia.”
Officer Johnson said that when he attempted to speak with Simpson in the parking lot, he became belligerent and argumentative.
“Andrew kept challenging the exit orders, stating that he was no longer high because he smoked earlier. Andrew had a hard time staying still and was swaying while he stood in the parking lot,” Officer Johnson said. “As Andrew spoke to me, the odor of burnt marijuana grew stronger and it appeared as if it was coming from his breath. After approximately one minute, Andrew asked for an ambulance, stating he had high blood pressure and anxiety. Andrew was sweating profusely, despite the fact that it was 52 degrees outside. Excessive sweating is another side effect of smoking marijuana.”
Officer Johnson explained that cannabinoids found in marijuana stimulate the central nervous system, which can elevate body temperature and heart rate, factors that can, in turn, lead to excessive sweating.
“Andrew continued arguing with officers, stating he was scared due to the fact that we were white and he was black,” Officer Johnson said. “Andrew was uncooperative and did not wish to listen to anything officers had to say to him. Andrew kept asking for officers to give him a breathalyzer, even though I had explained to him multiple times that a breathalyzer was for individuals who are suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, not drugs. Andrew demonstrated a diminished capacity and had a hard time following simple directions and questions.”
Officer Johnson said that Webster EMS eventually arrived on scene to evaluate Andrew at his request.
“As he began to walk over to the ambulance, Andrew stopped and almost fell completely off balance to the back-left side. Andrew went into the ambulance with Webster medics and was evaluated,” Officer Johnson said. “Andrew could not decide if he wanted to go to the hospital or not, telling medics that he didn’t want to go with the police. Andrew then asked if he was transported to the hospital what would happen to his vehicle.”
Officer Johnson said that Andrew was advised he would be charged with OUI drugs if he went to the hospital, and that his vehicle would be towed as a result. Andrew attempted to argue this, asking whether he could leave the vehicle where it was, or move the vehicle.
“Andrew then asked if he could have someone else come take the vehicle. Officers told Andrew no a second time and that the vehicle was going to be towed,” Officer Johnson said. “After being evaluated, Andrew exited from the ambulance and almost stumbled. Andrew asked about the roadside assessment tests, but then stated he wanted another officer to conduct the tests. I advised Andrew that I was the officer who pulled him over, so therefore, I would be the officer to conduct the tests. Andrew kept arguing with me and delaying the process. Eventually, Andrew said he wished to be transported to the hospital.”
At this time, Sergeant Reed asked Simpson if he needed anything from the vehicle.
“Andrew requested his small bag that he had with him. A pat frisk of the bag’s exterior was conducted of the bag before it was handed to Andrew,” Officer Johnson said. “Based on the totality of the circumstances, I formulated the opinion that Andrew was impaired due to the consumption of drugs.”
Anything Automotive was requested to tow the vehicle and Officers Johnson and Blomgren began conducting an inventory of its contents.
“As I looked inside the center console, I observed a large, clear, knotted baggie that was full of a white powdery substance I knew to be cocaine,” Officer Johnson said. “After observing the large bag of cocaine, I proceeded onto the ambulance and took Andrew’s bag that was given to him. This bag was within the vehicle originally and therefore, I believed it could have further evidence and contraband inside. A search of the bag yielded a large amount of cash that was bundled together in different denominations. The cash within the bag is suspected to be proceeds from drug distribution.”
Simpson was transported to UMass Webster by Webster EMS.
“I transported the bag of cocaine and Andrew’s bag back to the Webster Police Department. I weighed the bag of cocaine on a scale, which displayed a reading of 18.63 grams, which is trafficking weight,” Officer Johnson said. “After speaking with Sergeant Reed, I then proceeded to UMass Webster and formally placed Andrew under arrest in the emergency patient room he was in.”
Officer Johnson said that Officer Blomgren stayed with Simpson until he was discharged from the hospital.
“Sergeant Reed and I counted Andrew’s money that was in his bag,” Officer Johnson added. “A total of $661 was seized pending asset forfeiture, as the money is suspected proceeds of drug distribution. A further search of Andrew’s bag revealed two dispensary containers filled with marijuana.”
Simpson’s bail was set at $10,000 by the on-call bail commissioner.
“After Andrew was discharged, he was booked per department policy and afforded all applicable rights,” Officer Johnson said.
Andrew was placed in a holding cell at the Webster Police Department pending his arraignment, scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025, in Dudley District Court.
Andrew Simpson was charged with the following offenses/violations:
- OUI Drugs
- Cocaine, Trafficking in 18 Grams or More, Less than 36 Grams
- Negligent Operation of Motor Vehicle
- No Inspection Sticker
- Number Plate Violation
Following his arraignment, Simpson was released on bail. His next court date is a pretrial conference hearing scheduled for October 10, 2025, in Dudley District Court.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in September, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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