GREENFIELD — A 28-year-old Ashfield man was arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Monday on charges related to drug and firearm possession, and receiving stolen property, following his arrest in the Big Y Plaza.

Justin Page was arrested Friday at around 5:30 p.m. on charges of carrying a loaded firearm without a license; possession of a firearm without a license to carry; possession of a firearm in a felony; improper storage of a firearm; receipt of stolen property (handgun); possession of ammunition without a license to carry; possession with intent to distribute a Class A drug, subsequent offense; and receipt of stolen property (safe keys).

According to the Greenfield Police Department, officers initially responded to a request for a welfare check on a man sitting in a vehicle in the Big Y parking lot.

Deputy Chief William Gordon and his wife, Officer Laura Gordon, were off-duty in an unmarked police cruiser when a call came over the radio for a welfare check on a man who appeared to be “slumped over” his steering wheel, according to a police report written by the deputy chief.

The Gordons, who were in the parking lot, identified themselves as police officers, and the deputy chief radioed to dispatch. According to the police report, Page — who was described as looking “ashen white and sweating profusely” — allegedly fought to remain in the vehicle and seemed to be reaching for a backpack.

When on-duty officers arrived, including Officer Brent Griffin, a drug recognition expert, the Gordons received assistance in controlling Page and removing the backpack, which officers were concerned might contain weapons, from his grasp. According to a police report written by Griffin, Page allegedly admitted to using heroin that day but denied medical attention.

Deputy Chief Gordon reportedly discovered several “bundles” of what he recognized to be the way heroin is typically packaged, the reports state.

In a search that followed, officers allegedly located 550 baggies of what appeared to be heroin, a stolen loaded pistol, a stolen gun safe key, $1,286, a scale and notes regarding the potential sales of narcotics in his backpack, according to the report. Deputy Chief Gordon instructed officers to seize the backpack and arrest Page.

Page was transferred to the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction and held until his arraignment Monday, during which bail was set at $5,000. He is next expected to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on Oct. 25.

Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne

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