By JOSEPH B. NADEAU

WOONSOCKET — A local man’s apparent attempt to temporarily hide a quantity of cocaine outside a Grove Street residence went awry Sunday evening after the estimated $1,500 cache of drugs ended up in the hands of police before he could reclaim it.

John D. Sawtelle, 26, of 195 Boyden St., was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, a felony, in connection with the 6:30 p.m. discovery, according to police.
A second man, Francis M. Griffin, 25, who allegedly returned to the Grove Street scene with Sawtelle, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, police said.
The incident began when Sawtelle allegedly hid the quantity of cocaine in the bushes of a residence on Grove Street.
The contraband, hidden in a sock, was found by a party in the neighborhood and turned over to police at the police station.
Police said the powdered cocaine was split up for street sale in 31 small packets.
As Patrolman Irwin Harris investigated the discovery in the Grove Street neighborhood, Sawtelle was found at the location where the drugs had been hidden, participating in an intense search of area with Griffin, police said.
Irwin and Patrolwoman Linden Kasner developed
information allegedly identifying Sawtelle as the person leaving the drugs at the scene and took the suspect and Griffin into custody on the possession with intent to deliver charge, police said.
 “It was outstanding work on the part of members of the public who brought this matter to our attention,” Lt. John Picard said of the arrests. “It’s the type of thing we need to get the job done,” he said.