Traffic stop in Mattapan ends with loaded revolver recovered and officer bitten
BOSTON, MA – A routine traffic stop in Mattapan escalated into a struggle that ended with a loaded revolver recovered and a 23-year-old Dorchester man facing multiple firearm and assault charges.
Officers assigned to District B-3 observed a vehicle Tuesday at about 5:00 p.m. operating without a front registration plate and making an abrupt turn onto Harvard Street. Police said the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before turning right onto Norwell Street.
Emergency lights and sirens were activated to conduct a traffic stop for motor vehicle violations. The driver, identified as Reymon Lorenzo-Cruz, 23, of Dorchester, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
According to police, Lorenzo-Cruz appeared visibly shaken while providing his driver’s license. After further investigation, officers asked him to exit the vehicle.
During a pat frisk, police said the suspect became non-compliant and began yelling. As officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, he allegedly resisted and swung his arms. Authorities said he bit an officer on the hand and reached toward his waistband.
Officers were able to restrain him and placed him in handcuffs. A firearm was recovered from inside multiple layers of clothing. Police identified the weapon as a North American Arms revolver-style pistol loaded with five rounds in the cylinder.
Lorenzo-Cruz was arrested and is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges including carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license second offense, possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card, resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- 23-year-old Dorchester man arrested after Mattapan traffic stop
- Police recovered loaded North American Arms revolver with five rounds
- Suspect faces firearm, resisting arrest and assault charges