Police: Man Harasses Woman, Found Carrying Heroin

A city man was arrested Monday afternoon for allegedly harassing a woman on High Street as she was walking to her car.

The woman called police from her workplace and provided a description of the man. When officers arrived, they reported finding a man matching the description standing in front of the building where she works.

Police spokeswoman Sgt. Lisa Cotto said the officers detained the man, later identified as Earl Whitefield, and then contacted the woman.

Cotto said she told the officers that after walking out of the building earlier, Whitfield approached her and asked for her phone number.

According to Cotto, the woman attempted to get past Whitfield, but he blocked her. She eventually got past him, but he followed her, Cotto said.

Cotto said the woman became frightened about getting into her car and called a co-worker. She told the officers she thought Whitfield had the smell of alcohol on his breath and had bloodshot eyes.

The woman began running back to where she works and Whitfield chased her, Cotto said. She was able to get into the building while Whitfield waited outside.

Whitfield was transported to Police Headquarters where an officer in the lock-up facility allegedly found he possessed three bags of a white powder that tested positive for heroin, Cotto said.

Whitfield was charged with second-degree breach of peace; illegal possession of narcotics; illegal possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school; manufacture, distribution or sale of a narcotic; and manufacture,
distribution or sale of a narcotic within 1,500 feet of a school.

Whitfield, 48, of 133 Main St., was held on $25,000 bond and given a court date of March 3.