By Tiffany Williams –
On November 15, 2023, officers assigned to the Boston Police A-1 Drug Control Unit were conducting a drug investigation in the area of 138 Tremont Street in Boston. During the course of their investigation, officers observed a group of individuals congregating on the steps of the church located at 138 Tremont Street.
This area is known to the Boston Police for illegal narcotics activity, including multiple arrests for illegal narcotics and the seizures of illegal narcotics.
While officers observed this group congregating at 138 Tremont Street, they further observed two known individuals who are known to Boston Police as drug dealers.
These two individuals were Jose Martinez and Rondell Thomas, and both were observed loitering amongst the group at 138 Tremont Street.
Officers utilized a department issued cellular communication device to monitor Martinez and Thomas using Homeland Security Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) cameras located at an undisclosed location in the area.
While watching Martinez and Thomas via the Homeland Security FLIR cameras, officers observed a white heavy-set male, approached the group, and began talking to Martinez. This male was later identified by officers as Michael Aniolowski.
After brief conversation between Martinez and Aniolowski, officers observed Martinez walk towards a kiosk structure in front of the church and motion to an unknown male to come sit beside him thus blocking the officers view from one of the FLIR cameras.
Officers continued to observe Aniolowski as he stood in front of the unknown male and appeared to be waiting for Martinez, who was partially concealed from the FLIR camera.
After a short time, officers observed Aniolowski walk closer to Martinez, reached towards Martinez, picked something up from the ledge of the kiosks, and walked away into the Boston Common.
Officers informed other officers of their observations and followed Aniolowski on foot to further investigate.
Aniolowski walked into the Boston Common to the area of the visitor center and sat on the statues between the Visitor Center and the entrance to the train station.
Other officers assigned to the A-1 Drug Control Unit arrived, and Aniolowski was observed holding a crack pipe in his hand. Officers approached Aniolowski and observed lose pieces of a white crack like substance, which, based on their training and experience, appeared to be crack cocaine on the seat next to Aniolowski.
Officers identified themselves to Aniolowski as members of the Boston Police DCU. An officer and a sergeant held onto Aniolowski left hand to prevent him from discarding the crack pipe and the sergeant retrieved the crack pipe at which time he observed based on his training and experience what appeared to be loose pieces of a white rock like substance believed to be crack cocaine inside the crack pipe. Another officer retrieved from the seat next to Aniolowski loose pieces of a white rock like substance.
The Sergeant informed Aniolowski of his Miranda rights, and when asked if he understood his Miranda rights, Aniolowski said yes. When asked how much he paid for the drugs, Aniolowski told officers he paid $15. When asked to describe the person who sold him the drugs, he refused to cooperate with the officers.
Aniolowski was informed that a criminal complaint would be filed against him for possession of class B substance.
Back at A-1, officers continued their drug investigation reviewing the video on a bigger screen. On video, officers observed Aniolowski lean towards Martinez and passed an unknown amount of cash towards Martinez out of camera view. Once Aniolowski’s hand was again in camera view, officers observed Aniolowski no longer holding cash. Aniolowski then reached onto the ledge of the kiosks next to where Martinez was standing, retrieved something, and then walked away, which at this point was when officers followed Aniolowski into the park and retrieved the drugs.
Officers filed a criminal complaint against Martinez for distribution of a class B substance, and Martinez is scheduled to appear in Boston Municipal Court – Central on 5/02/2024 for arraignment at 9:00 AM.
so homeland security devices, investigation methods, etc…..all for a crackhead who spent $15??? Interesting.