SALEM - Police arrested a man on drug charges after he, agreeing to be an informant, reneged on his promise and investigators learned he was hightailing it out of the area.

Originally, investigators on Jan. 28 agreed not to arrest Rafael Beaumed, 34, formerly of 7 Webster St., on drug charges at that time because he agreed to provide information to undercover detectives in other drug probes.

Deputy Chief Shawn J. Patten said Beaumed never came across with any information and, as it turned out, police were tipped he planned to move south, was packing up and had moving trucks at his residence.

As a result, undercover detectives obtained warrants for his arrest for possessing and transporting cocaine related to the Jan. 28 incident and arrested him Wednesday afternoon without incident in the parking lot at the Fisk School. He is being held on $5,000 cash bail. Patten also identified Beaumed as the only suspect in an arson last February that destroyed his 7 Webster St. home located near Canobie Lake Park.

Police said Beaumed has not been charged due to lack of evidence, but the investigation is ongoing.

News reports at the time said the Red Cross was helping the family of five, which included three children, who lost everything in the blaze. No one was home at the time, although two dogs made it out, and a cat perished.