3 Arrested On Drug, Stun Gun, Home Invasion Charges In Worcester

WORCESTER (CBS) – Three Worcester residents are facing drug, gun and home invasion charges over a break-in at their downstairs neighbors' apartment.

Police say they were called early Saturday morning to an apartment on Grafton Street.

There, a 26-year-old man told officers that two men kicked in his front door and began to fight with him.

While officers were talking to a woman who had also been inside the apartment, 21-year-old Elizabeth McLaughlin showed up claiming her apartment, which was upstairs on the second floor, had been broken into as well.

McLaughlin, who police say was visibly intoxicated, brought officers back to her apartment and requested a search, officials said. During that search, police officers say they found a digital scale and plastic baggies containing crack cocaine in plain view.

Officers received a search warrant and found a stun gun, a bullet, a second digital scale, more crack cocaine and other drug paraphernalia.

While police were waiting for the search warrant, 23-year-old Juan Rodriguez, who lives with McLaughlin, and 23-year-old Carlos Lopez showed up at the second floor apartment. The two were identified as suspects in the home invasion of the first floor apartment.

McLaughlin was arrested and charged with Drug Trafficking, Possession of an Electric Stun Gun and Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card.

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with Possession of an electric Stun Gun, 2 counts of Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Home Invasion, Resting Arrest, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card and Trafficking in Class B Substance.

Lopez was arrested and charged with Home Invasion and Breaking and Entering into the Nighttime with the Intent to Commit a Felony.