FALL RIVER, MA — A 22-year-old man was arrested on firearms and drug trafficking charges after police observed him carrying what appeared to be a weapon in a cross body purse on May 20.
Jullianni Berrios, of Fall River, was stopped by CAST detectives in the area of Hartwell Street and Rodman Street in the afternoon.
Detectives said they observed Berrios, who was a suspect in a firearms investigation, exhibiting signs of being armed with a firearm.
Police confirmed Berrios does not possess a license to carry a firearm.
When detectives attempted to remove the purse from Berrios to conduct a pat frisk, he ducked under the straps and attempted to flee on foot across Plymouth Avenue.
A detective warned Berrios about a police K9, though no dog was present at the scene, and Berrios stopped running.
A search of the purse revealed a Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistol with a defaced serial number loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, approximately 151 grams of suspected crack cocaine and over $1,000 in currency.
Berrios was arrested and charged with carry firearm without license, carry firearm without license loaded, possess large capacity firearm, possess large capacity firearm in commission of felony, possess firearm with defaced serial number during commission of felony, trafficking cocaine 100 grams or more, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.
