A Gloucester man faces charges of heroin possession and distribution, and could face charges of stealing jewelry from his grandmother after an arrest yesterday morning at the Gloucester commuter rail station on Railroad Avenue.

Richard T. Menicocci, 24, of 15 Summit St., was arrested at 10 a.m. yesterday on charges of heroin possession and distribution of heroin. Menicocci's girlfriend, Cassandra L. Brown, 21, no address given, was arrested on charges of heroin possession and disorderly conduct.

Menicocci is under investigation for stealing $10,000 worth of jewelry from his grandmother, including her wedding ring. The theft case was brought to light after Menicocci's grandmother told police she believed he stole her jewelry. The jewelry was later found at two separate pawn shops in Lynn.

Police set up a meeting yesterday morning with an informant who had them that Menicocci regularly dealt heroin around the 7-Eleven on Maplewood Avenue. Police watched as Menicocci first went into the store, then exited and walked toward the back of the store, where he met with the informant.

When police met the informant at the Family Dollar store, the informant gave officers a bag of heroin he had just purchased from Menicocci.

Two other officers intercepted Menicocci at the Gloucester depot, where he had walked. At the time, Menicocci was with Brown. Police confronted Menicocci and he and Brown began to berate police. Police said a bag of heroin was found on Menicocci, which he admitted was for his own use.

Officers handcuffed Menicocci and then searched Brown, who was yelling and causing a scene, according to the police report. Police found hypodermic needles, a bag of heroin, and a cooking spoon in her purse. She was then arrested.

Police say that when questioned, Menicocci admitted selling heroin to the informant. He also admitted to stealing the jewelry from his grandmother's house. Menicocci told police he knew his grandmother had jewelry in the house, and he walked in, took it and walked out the door. He then told police that he and Brown took the train to Lynn and sold the jewelry at pawn shops for cash to buy more drugs. Police are seeking charges against Menicocci for stealing the jewelry, but he has not yet been charged.

Nick Curcucu may be contacted at ncurcucu@gloucestertimes.com.