NEW BEDFORD, MA — Police arrested three individuals in separate investigations last month for possessing illegal firearms.
On Nov. 12 at 9 p.m., Officers Jonathan Andrews and Shawn Raposo of the Crime Reduction Unit were patrolling the North End when they observed a vehicle parked inside the Dias Field lot on Nauset Street.
All recreational parks in the city are closed from dusk to dawn, making the occupants subject to trespassing violations.
As the officers approached, they saw a large amount of smoke coming from inside the vehicle and two rolled marijuana joints in the center console.
One passenger was found with a knife longer than 2.5 inches.
Another passenger, Quinn Raposo, 19, of New Bedford, was found to have a firearm concealed in his waistband.
The firearm contained one 9mm round in the chamber and a large-capacity feeding device loaded with ten additional 9mm cartridges.
A search of the vehicle also revealed an open container of alcohol.
The operator was issued citations for the open container of alcohol and the open container of marijuana.
Raposo was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, unlawful possession of a high-capacity feeding device and possession of ammunition without an FID card.
The following day, Det. Stephanie Connolly received information that a male, identified as Victor Monteiro, 21, of New Bedford, was in possession of a firearm.
Monteiro does not possess a valid Massachusetts License to Carry.
Connolly was conducting surveillance in the South End when she observed Monteiro walking on South Second Street.
When detectives attempted to stop him, Monteiro fled, leading to a short foot pursuit before he was apprehended.
He informed officers that he had discarded his firearm while running.
Detectives recovered the weapon, which contained one round in the chamber and four additional .380 rounds in the magazine.
Monteiro was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, possession of ammunition without an FID card and a firearm violation with two prior violent/drug offenses.
He has prior convictions from November 2023, including carrying a firearm without a license and two counts of assault and battery with a firearm.
On Nov. 20, Detectives Jacob Rebello and Matthew Couture were patrolling the area of County and Linden streets when they observed a vehicle with a failed inspection sticker and a defective passenger-side license plate light.
As detectives activated their blue lights, they observed the driver and passenger moving abruptly inside the vehicle.
The passenger, Dwaine Muhammad, 19, of New Bedford, was asked to step out and was pat-frisked.
A black crossbody bag was then located on the passenger-side floor, containing a Geisler 9mm with three rounds and no serial number.
Muhammad was taken into custody and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.
The driver was issued citations for the motor vehicle violations.
