DORCHESTER, MA — A 20-year-old man was arrested Thursday after police recovered a loaded handgun during a traffic stop.
Eric Barnes Jr., of Hyde Park, was taken into custody at approximately 5:35 p.m. in the area of 3 Bowdoin Avenue.
Members of the Youth Violence Strike Force Unit, working with Boston Housing Police, Massachusetts State Police and Transit Police, initiated the stop after observing a vehicle fail to yield to a pedestrian and child in a marked crosswalk in the area of Washington Street and Norwell Street.
Officers conducted a records inquiry that indicated the operator did not possess a valid driver’s license.
After stopping the vehicle, officers confirmed both occupants were unlicensed and issued an exit order to continue their investigation.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a firearm concealed inside a sock within a gym bag in the trunk.
Barnes attempted to flee as the firearm was located but was immediately taken into custody without injury.
The recovered firearm was identified as a Glock 23 .40 caliber handgun loaded with 11 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.
Barnes is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
He was also issued a Massachusetts Uniform Citation for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
