HARTFORD, VT — A man wearing a wig to conceal his identity was arrested on multiple warrants after police responded to a report of suspected drug use.
Hartford Police responded to 34 Prospect Street at 9:19 p.m. on Jan. 21 after receiving a call about a man who appeared to be using drugs outside behind the building.
Officers observed a man and woman standing between cars in the parking garage under the building.
When the man saw the police car, he placed a glass pipe into his satchel.
The pipe was consistent with one used to smoke illicit drugs, and the satchel was seized.
The man verbally identified himself as Cory Grant and attempted to hide his face from officers.
Officers recognized him from previous contact as Richard Whitcomb, 46, of Hartford.
Officers asked Whitcomb to remove his hood and hat.
Whitcomb removed his hood but continued to shield his face.
When he removed his hat, officers discovered he was wearing a wig.
Whitcomb was detained while officers checked for arrest warrants.
Whitcomb was found to have three Vermont arrest warrants for fentanyl trafficking, false reports to law enforcement authorities and possession of stimulants, narcotics or depressants.
He also had an active arrest warrant from New Hampshire for violation of probation.
During a search incident to arrest, officers located a small plastic baggie containing a white powder in Whitcomb’s wallet.
The powder was later determined to be fentanyl.
Whitcomb was charged with possession of fentanyl and false reports to law enforcement authorities.
Vermont Superior Court Judge Mann ordered Whitcomb held on $150,000 bail, in addition to combined bail for his Vermont arrest warrants totaling $1,300.
Whitcomb was transported to Southern State Correctional Facility.
