Armed with rifles, law enforcement officials nab drug suspect in Potsdam’s Walmart

TOWN OF POTSDAM, New York (WWNY) - It was likely a scary sight for shoppers Wednesday as St. Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies armed with AR-15-type rifles entered the Potsdam Walmart.

Officials said the deputies were there to arrest a man who fled a traffic stop, crashed his vehicle, and ran into the store.

A shopper recorded video of three law enforcement officials, who were carrying long guns, coming through the Walmart entrance.

The video also shows them taking a man into custody without incident.

Officials said the deputies were armed with their AR-15-type patrol rifles. Law enforcement advised the public on social media there was no active emergency situation and no ongoing threat to the public.

The suspect, 31-year-old Taj Fisher of Bronx, New York, was arraigned on drug charges late Wednesday afternoon in Potsdam Town Court. (Story continues below Fisher’s arrest photo)

Officials said Fisher fled a traffic stop on State Highway 345 in the town of Waddington after noon Wednesday. Deputies stopped chasing the vehicle when it reached the hamlet of Madrid.

They said Fisher’s car later struck a sign at the Potsdam Walmart and that he then ran into the store where he was taken into custody.

The sheriff’s office said Fisher was found to be in possession of approximately 4.5 ounces of fentanyl, and 3 ounces of cocaine. The total street value of the drugs seized was approximately $100,000, officials said.

In addition, authorities said Fisher possessed three boxes of glassine bags, digital scales, and $4,719 in cash. (Our story continues below the photo of drugs and cash)

The sheriff’s office said Fisher was in possession of approximately 4.5 ounces of fentanyl, and... — The sheriff’s office said Fisher was in possession of approximately 4.5 ounces of fentanyl, and 3 ounces of cocaine.(WWNY)

He was charged with second and third-degree counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawfully fleeing a police officer and several vehicle and traffic law violations.

Fisher is being held without bail in the county jail.

The sheriff’s office was assisted by the county’s drug task force and district attorney’s office, Potsdam Village Police, U.S. Border Patrol, State Police, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations.