Dorchester's streets witnessed more than just traffic lights and pedestrian hustle this week as a routine traffic stop escalated into a significant drug and weapon bust. Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden confirmed that 26-year-old Attleboro resident Pedar Legendd is facing several charges after police discovered a firearm, ammunition, various narcotics, cash, and illegally tinted windows in his vehicle during the stop in Dorchester.
Legendd, who has a rap sheet stretching from 2013 to 2017 with charges including drug offenses and unarmed robbery, was charged Wednesday in the Dorchester BMC. According to the Suffolk District Attorney's office, Judge Rebeca Figueroa has set Legendd's bail at $5,000, with an order for his return to court on August 26 for a pre-trial hearing.
The arrest came about on the evening of July 30, when officers of the Youth Violence Strike Force, positioned at a red light on Washington Street, noticed a grey Nissan Altima speeding and subsequently maneuvering in a suspicious manner along Stockton Avenue. After witnessing Legendd making what appeared to be a furtive movement upon the officers' approach, what ensued was not just a citation for speeding, but a deeper dive into the contents of Legendd's vehicle.
Upon searching the car, the officers stumbled upon cannabis chocolate bars, multiple igloo coolers, and ultimately a trove of illegal items. "Officers removed Legendd from the vehicle to conduct a pat frisk," detailed the Suffolk District Attorney's report. They discovered drugs and paraphernalia indicative of intent to distribute, including rock thought to be crack cocaine, a substance alleged to be fentanyl, and a collection of blue pills. Adding to the contraband, a black Ruger 9mm EC9 handgun was unearthed, equipped with one round in the chamber and four rounds in the magazine. Along with 25 bags of marijuana, cash totaling to $1,080 was seized.
The circumstances of this case highlight the ongoing challenges that law enforcement faces in addressing the nexus of drugs, weapons, and street-level crime. As Pedar Legendd prepares for his upcoming court date, the repercussions of the Dorchester traffic stop continue to resonate through the local community, shining a light on the perpetual efforts to curtail such illegal activities.
