PITTSFIELD -- A North Adams man pleaded not guilty to two charges in Central Berkshire District Court on Wednesday in connection with a stolen car and for possession of counterfeit drugs following his arrest earlier in the day, according to court documents.
Police say Matthew R. Rodriguez, 18, of Chase Avenue, was the passenger in a car reported stolen from North Adams only an hour before Lanesborough Police began investigating a report of an erratic driver on Route 7.
When police found the car, its occupants had already fled. Using a Pittsfield Police K-9, law enforcement officials tracked Rodriguez to a field near North Main Street and found him hiding under a fallen tree.
Rodriguez allegedly told police he had been picked up by a friend earlier that night while walking in North Adams and believed the car he was riding in was probably stolen.
No charges have yet been filed against the second man, and it was unclear whether the police ever found him.
After Rodriguez was arrested, police say they found three baggies with what appeared to be heroin inside in his wallet. Rodriguez allegedly told the officers it was tea leaves that he passes off as heroin.
Rodriguez was charged by police with felony receiving stolen property over $250 and possession of counterfeit drugs with the intent to distribute, a misdemeanor.
Rodriguez' attorney, Alexander Sohn, said his client was cooperative with the police and always
Rodriguez also has several open cases in North Adams. In a recent case, Rodriguez was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on July 23 on three counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle at night for a felony, one count of receiving stolen property, and one count of larceny over $250.
Judge Fredric D. Rutberg ordered Rodriguez held on $250 bail. As of Wednesday afternoon, Rodriguez was still in custody.
He is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 13.
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