State, local police cooperate in drug arrest

Waterford - Local police teamed up with a state police narcotics task force to arrest a local man on drug charges.

Waterford police said their department had an arrest warrant for Lawrence Hooker, 27, who has listed addresses in both Groton and New London, related to a traffic stop on Route 32 two weeks ago.

Sgt. Ed Lougee said Hooker, who is alleged to have been in possession of narcotics at the time of the stop, ran away on foot.

The task force had information that Hooker was expected to be at the Crystal Mall Thursday evening. Together they were able to arrest Hooker after a brief foot chase in the mall and seized 4 ounces of heroin, $320 in cash and drug paraphernalia.

Waterford police charged Hooker with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and interfering with a police officer, all stemming from the traffic stop.

State police charged Hooker with possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia and interfering with a police officer.

Hooker was also wanted by Groton Town Police, who served their warrant at the Waterford Police department. They charged Hooker with sale of crack cocaine, sale of cocaine, sale of crack cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, day care or public housing and sale of cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, day care or public housing.

Hooker was held in custody of Waterford police on bonds totaling more than $400,000 and is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court today.