Officer's stolen gun found in Lawrence
By Jill Harmacinski
[email protected]
LAWRENCE — A stolen handgun belonging to a Burlington police officer was recovered after it was illegally fired within earshot of the police station by an admitted heroin dealer early yesterday, police said.
Luis Gomez, 18, of Lawrence was arrested and charged with firing the stolen Glock, which police believe he did to impress some girls. Gomez said he purchased the gun "from a guy in Haverhill," police said.
Officers working the overnight shift arrested Gomez after hearing gunfire outside the Lowell Street police station at 4:45 a.m.
Gomez, of 328 Andover St., #1, faces a lengthy list of charges, including illegal possession of a loaded firearm, receiving stolen property, illegal possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and assault and battery on a police officer.
He is expected to be arraigned on the charges this morning in Lawrence District Court.
Gomez "confessed" to carrying and shooting the gun, trying to dispose of the Glock and selling heroin, according to a report written by Officer Guillermo Rojas.
The unidentified Burlington police officer reported the Glock stolen from his car in November, Lawrence police Chief John Romero said.
The weapon remained missing until yesterday morning when police officers and dispatchers heard a "loud bang" that sounded like a gunshot outside the police station.
Rojas and fellow Officer Angel Lopez ran outside and started looking around. A man drove up and told them he had just heard the "loud noise." He told police that when he heard the bang, he saw four people walking on nearby Amesbury Street toward Essex Street.
Moments later, Sgt. Dawn Pappalardo found the four people at Amesbury and Methuen streets. She, along with several other officers, approached the group and a struggle quickly ensued.
Gomez "refused to obey commands to remove his hands from his waistband." And Officer Charles Saindon said he saw Gomez "toss a gun over a nearby fence," Rojas wrote.
Another man, Marc Theriault, 20, of 80 Bowdoin St., Lawrence "was also taken to the ground by force for refusing to obey commands ... and causing a disorderly scene himself by swearing and yelling."
During their search, police found a 6-inch knife on Theriault, the report said.
Two 16-year-old girls in the group were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for screaming and yelling during the arrests.
When Gomez was booked at the police station, officers found two glassine bags that contained a brown powdery substance beleived to be heroin, Rojas wrote.
The teen-aged girls were released to the custody of their parents.
Theriault was charged with disorderly conduct, illegal possession of a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Lawrence District Court.
Gomez confessed to firing the gun and selling drugs after he was read his Miranda rights, according to police. The confession was recorded, police added.
After the Glock was recovered, police checked the serial number and discovered it was stolen and belonged to the Burlington Police Department. Lawrence police called Burlington and told them the gun was recovered.
Romero lauded the diligence of police and the witness who drove to the station to report the suspicious activity yesterday morning.
"They got a stolen gun off the street," he noted.
http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_011040424.html
By Jill Harmacinski
[email protected]
LAWRENCE — A stolen handgun belonging to a Burlington police officer was recovered after it was illegally fired within earshot of the police station by an admitted heroin dealer early yesterday, police said.
Luis Gomez, 18, of Lawrence was arrested and charged with firing the stolen Glock, which police believe he did to impress some girls. Gomez said he purchased the gun "from a guy in Haverhill," police said.
Officers working the overnight shift arrested Gomez after hearing gunfire outside the Lowell Street police station at 4:45 a.m.
Gomez, of 328 Andover St., #1, faces a lengthy list of charges, including illegal possession of a loaded firearm, receiving stolen property, illegal possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and assault and battery on a police officer.
He is expected to be arraigned on the charges this morning in Lawrence District Court.
Gomez "confessed" to carrying and shooting the gun, trying to dispose of the Glock and selling heroin, according to a report written by Officer Guillermo Rojas.
The unidentified Burlington police officer reported the Glock stolen from his car in November, Lawrence police Chief John Romero said.
The weapon remained missing until yesterday morning when police officers and dispatchers heard a "loud bang" that sounded like a gunshot outside the police station.
Rojas and fellow Officer Angel Lopez ran outside and started looking around. A man drove up and told them he had just heard the "loud noise." He told police that when he heard the bang, he saw four people walking on nearby Amesbury Street toward Essex Street.
Moments later, Sgt. Dawn Pappalardo found the four people at Amesbury and Methuen streets. She, along with several other officers, approached the group and a struggle quickly ensued.
Gomez "refused to obey commands to remove his hands from his waistband." And Officer Charles Saindon said he saw Gomez "toss a gun over a nearby fence," Rojas wrote.
Another man, Marc Theriault, 20, of 80 Bowdoin St., Lawrence "was also taken to the ground by force for refusing to obey commands ... and causing a disorderly scene himself by swearing and yelling."
During their search, police found a 6-inch knife on Theriault, the report said.
Two 16-year-old girls in the group were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for screaming and yelling during the arrests.
When Gomez was booked at the police station, officers found two glassine bags that contained a brown powdery substance beleived to be heroin, Rojas wrote.
The teen-aged girls were released to the custody of their parents.
Theriault was charged with disorderly conduct, illegal possession of a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Lawrence District Court.
Gomez confessed to firing the gun and selling drugs after he was read his Miranda rights, according to police. The confession was recorded, police added.
After the Glock was recovered, police checked the serial number and discovered it was stolen and belonged to the Burlington Police Department. Lawrence police called Burlington and told them the gun was recovered.
Romero lauded the diligence of police and the witness who drove to the station to report the suspicious activity yesterday morning.
"They got a stolen gun off the street," he noted.
http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_011040424.html
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Do you know that is what happened?
