A bystander’s quick call to Worcester police led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Fitchburg man after officers say they recovered a loaded handgun tucked into his pants. The report came in on March 9 from someone in a Southbridge Street grocery store parking lot who told police they saw a man running through the lot with what appeared to be a firearm at his waistband.
Police account and arrest
According to the Worcester Police Department, officers were dispatched at about 1:39 p.m. after the witness said the firearm was not in a holster and that the man had been running in and out of stores. Officers located a man matching the description on Boys and Girls Club Way and say they found a firearm tucked inside his pants. The department’s release states the man was found to have a suspended license to carry.
Charges listed by police
Police identified the suspect as Alex Marrero, 27, of Fitchburg, and charged him with possession of a large-capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and disorderly conduct, according to a post on Facebook. Officials did not include court dates or bail information in their public statements.
What the charges mean
In Massachusetts, most handguns and some firearms require either a License to Carry (LTC) or a Firearm Identification (FID) card under Chapter 140 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as set out by the Massachusetts Legislature. Carrying a loaded firearm without a license and related offenses can carry serious penalties and, in certain cases, mandatory minimum terms, according to state statutes and court guidance cited by Mass.gov…