On Monday, August 18, 2025, Officer Moreira and I, Officer Souza, responded to the Cambria Hotel (515 Somerville Avenue) for drugs and drug paraphernalia in room #331. Officers Lorenti, Goodnow, and Sergeant Van Nostrand and Detective Reece responded as backup.

Upon arrival, we spoke with the hotel's manager, XXXX. He stated that one of his housekeepers, XXXX, entered room #331 to clean the room. When she entered the room, she found all sorts of drugs and drug paraphernalia. A photo of some of the items was taken. These photos were sent to my department-issued email and will be digitally attached to my report. Mr. XXXX showed officers the photos of the drugs, and they appeared to be a clear, crystal-like substance bagged individually, contained inside a black box on a coffee table. Based on my training and experience, it is believed that the substance is Crystal Meth (Methamphetamines) that has been packaged for street resale.

We were informed that the guest had returned to the room before our arrival. We were unsure if the guest had become suspicious of our presence. It was determined that if the guest were aware that Ms. XXXX had entered his room and had seen the drugs and the police presence, he would potentially destroy all evidence. Mr. XXXX advised us that the hotel room should have been vacated at 11:00 am, and they were late for check-out. Hotel staff called the room and advised the occupant that they needed to check out. During this call, it was determined that more than one person may have been in the room. Since the room was occupied, it was unknown who had entered and if they had alerted the occupants that the police were in the lobby.  Sergeant Van Nostrand, along with Detective Reece, was in the Hotel lobby gathering additional information. Sergeant Van Nostrand made the decision to enter the room and secure all evidence from being destroyed or from the occupants leaving with the drugs.

While determining the number of occupants in the room, Officers Lorenti and Goodnow were in an adjacent room, surveilling room #331. An emergency key was provided by hotel staff. Officer Moreira and I joined Officers Lorenti and Goodnow and tactically entered room #331 using the emergency key. Once the door was unlocked, we announced ourselves as Somerville Police, entered the room, and ordered two male occupants to the ground. Both parties were immediately frisked for weapons and handcuffed. Officer Goodnow read them their Miranda rights. Both parties verbally confirmed they understood.

I walked through the hotel room to confirm no other occupants were hiding. In plain view on the coffee table in the room where both parties were located, the same black box containing multiple bags filled with a crystal-like substance was present. Next to the box was a black digital scale with a white powdery residue on its surface. Detective Reece and Sergeant Van Nostrand responded to the hotel room.  Detective Reece took control of the investigation.

The two parties were identified as Justin Molina and Joshua Arone. Mr. Molina was searched on our crime database (CJIS), where it was discovered that he had three active warrants for his arrest. Officers Lorenti and Goodnow then escorted Mr. Arone into the hotel bedroom, which was separate from Mr. Molina's. Detective Reece then asked Mr. Molina if he was willing to speak with her. He verbally confirmed he was. Mr. Molina was asked what type of drug was in the box on the coffee table, and he said it was Crystal Meth. It appears to have been more than 18 grams of the substance.  See Detective Reece's report for further details.

After questioning Mr. Molina, Detective Reece went to the bedroom to speak with Mr. Arone. See Detective Reece's report for further details.

The transport wagon was requested. Officer Barton responded and transported Mr. Molina and Mr. Arone to headquarters, where they were booked in the usual manner by Lieutenant Capasso.

During the booking process, Officer Barton discovered a bag containing a white powdery substance. The packaging appeared to be identical to the packaging found in the hotel room. Please see Officer Barton's supplemental report.

I will be charging Mr. Molina with the following:

94C/32A/G Drug, possession for distribution c94C S32A 35A

Mr. Molina will also be processed for the following outstanding warrants.

Docket numbers - XXXX, XXXX and XXXX

I will be charging Mr. Arone with the following:

94C/32A/G Drug, possession for distribution c94C S32A 35A

DRUG, POSSESS CLASS B c94C S34

Respectfully,

Officer Victor Souza #380