By Jim Clark

Last week, Somerville police officers on patrol driving Southbound on McGrath Highway observed a white vehicle heading the wrong way on the exit ramp towards their cruiser as they exited the highway on the Somerville Avenue exit.

The vehicle reportedly stopped, then went in reverse down the exit ramp until it reached the McGrath Highway underpass, did a U-turn and began to drive under the bridge at McGrath Highway and Somerville Avenue.

The officers initiated a motor vehicle stop, activating their blue lights and siren, and the vehicle pulled to the left of the road.

As the officers approached the vehicle, the operator, Monte Stanford, of Walpole, rolled down his window, whereupon officers reportedly detected the strong odor of burnt Marijuana emanating from the vehicle.

Stanford reportedly told police that he did not have his license and registration with him.

The officers advised Stanford that because he was unlicensed that he would not be allowed to drive the car away, and that another licensed driver would be required in order to avoid having the car towed.

At this point, Stanford reportedly became very agitated and began shouting at the officers, using abusive and insulting language and refusing to exit the vehicle.

The officers managed to coax Stanford out of the car, but he continued to shout at them and struggle as they tried to handcuff him.

Stanford was eventually restrained and subsequently charged with resisting arrest, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop or yield, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.