The Youth Violence Strike Force arrested a local man after recovering a loaded stolen firearm over the weekend.
According to Boston Police, at just before 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, officers assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force made an on-site firearm arrest of 24-year-old Rai Jon Gonsalves of Fall River, following a traffic stop in the area of 186 Seaver Street in Roxbury.
Officers were on patrol in the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Seaver Street when their attention was drawn to a Hyundai sedan bearing an out-of-state registration plate. Officers observed the vehicle traveling at a speed greater than the posted speed limit.
Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle continued traveling, moved into the left lane, and slow-rolled through a red light before eventually coming to a stop at a bus stop.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers inquired about the operator’s identification. The operator stated that he did not physically possess his license and provided a name and date of birth. An inquiry of the information provided did not match the operator’s information.
Officers subsequently located a Massachusetts identification card bearing the name Rai Jon Gonsalves. An inquiry of that information yielded a match and revealed that Gonsalves’ driver’s license was currently suspended.
Due to the vehicle being parked at a bus stop, officers requested a tow and conducted a motor vehicle inventory. During the inventory, officers located a backpack in the rear of the vehicle. Inside the backpack, officers located a black semi-automatic firearm.
Officers requested detectives to respond to the scene. After further investigation, officers placed Gonsalves under arrest. Detectives determined that the firearm was a 9mm Glock 43 containing a total of 7 rounds, with 1 round loaded in the chamber. A further inquiry revealed that the firearm was reported stolen out of Androscoggin, Maine.
Gonsalves was arraigned in Roxbury District Court on the following charges:
Carrying a Firearm Without a License; 2nd Offense
Firearm Violation with 1 prior Violent/Drug Crime
Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License
Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card
Receiving Stolen Property
Operating Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License (Subsequent Offense)
Speeding
Red Light Violation
He pled not guilty and was being held on dangerousness with a hearing scheduled for October 1st.
