Man arrested on firearms charges in Southbridge

SOUTHBRIDGE, MA — A Northborough man has been arrested on multiple firearms and robbery charges following an investigation that began in November when police responded to threats against a local family.

Cassius Clay, 22, of Northborough, was arrested Dec. 4 on a warrant stemming from a Nov. 6 incident, according to the Southbridge Police Department.

Police initially responded to a residence at approximately 11:23 p.m. on Nov. 6 after a resident reported receiving credible threats that her home would be targeted in a shooting.

The caller also reported that family members had been robbed at gunpoint and that suspects were threatening further violence, police said.

Officers increased patrols in the area and observed three male subjects walking.

Two subjects complied with officers, but a juvenile attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended a short distance away, according to police.

During a search of the area where the juvenile fled, officers located a firearm with a defaced serial number, a magazine and numerous rounds of ammunition.

Officers obtained consent from the juvenile’s parent to search their residence, where they located additional firearms, two of which were loaded, along with ammunition and other evidence, police said.

None of the firearms were lawfully possessed and two were “ghost guns” with no traceable serial numbers, according to police.

A 14-year-old juvenile was charged with possession of a loaded firearm without a license to carry, possession of a firearm without a license to carry, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, possession of a large capacity feeding device and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The juvenile was held on $5,000 cash bail and transported to a Department of Youth Services facility pending arraignment.

A second 14-year-old juvenile will be charged with possession of a firearm without a license to carry, police said.

Clay was charged with armed robbery, assault to rob while armed with a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license to carry, possession of a firearm with a prior violent/drug crime conviction and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.