SOUTHBRIDGE — On Monday, June 1, 2026, members of the Southbridge Police Department Detective Division were conducting undercover narcotics enforcement in areas that police said have been the focus of multiple narcotics investigations over the past eight months.
According to the Southbridge Police Department, those investigations have resulted in multiple search warrants, arrests, and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal narcotics, firearms, and ammunition.
During the June 1 operation, detectives observed behavior and activity they recognized, based on their training and experience, as consistent with possible narcotics-related activity.
Detectives then saw a man, later identified as Gerard Shonbeck, enter a convenience store before briefly entering a parked vehicle and quickly leaving the area on foot, the Southbridge Police Department reported.
After he fled, the detectives requested assistance from patrol officers in locating Shonbeck.
Police located Shonbeck on a nearby walking trail and attempted to conduct an investigation. During the encounter, Shonbeck allegedly became combative and did not comply with officers’ commands.
As a result of the investigation, the Southbridge Police Department said police recovered approximately 22 grams of suspected cocaine packaged for distribution, suspected crack cocaine packaged for distribution, multiple denominations of U.S. currency separated into individual stacks, and items commonly used for packaging narcotics.
Gerard Shonbeck, 38, of Dean Street in Southbridge, was arrested and transported to the Southbridge Police Department for booking.
Shonbeck was charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance (crack cocaine), subsequent offense, and trafficking in cocaine, 18 grams to 36 grams.
The Southbridge Police Department said Shonbeck was held pending his arraignment or release on bail.
