For Immediate Release: 5/26/2022 10:42 am
On May 25, 2022 the Neighborhood Response Team was conducting Off Road Vehicle Enforcement. At approximately 3:37 PM an officer started to follow an off road ATV on Summer Street heading toward Laurel Street. The driver was wearing a cross-body fanny pack, mask and a long sleeved shirt. Officers lost sight of the ATV and began to canvas the area. A short time later, they located the ATV parked in front of Lucky Mart located on Prospect Street and Eastern Avenue. The driver, later identified as 32 year-old Carlos Lopez exited the store. Officers approached Mr. Lopez who was wearing a cross-body fanny pack and holding a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi. Mr. Lopez told police that he forgot something inside and went back into the store. When he came back out of the store, officers immediately noticed that he no longer had the fanny pack on and was no longer holding the Pepsi. As an officer began to have a conversation with Mr. Lopez, he appeared to be very nervous. One officer went back in the store and located the fanny pack that Mr. Lopez was wearing earlier. The officer lifted the fanny pack and noticed that the weight and shape of the item inside the pack was consistent with that of a firearm. When the officer unzipped the fanny pack he discovered a firearm.
The officer exited the store carrying the fanny pack. Mr. Lopez turned and sprinted up Eastern Avenue. The foot chase ensued. Officers were able to apprehend Mr. Lopez in the vicinity of 75 Gage Street.
The contents of the fanny pack included: a baggie of white rocklike substance which appeared to be cocaine, oxycodone, 5 packets of Suboxone, a loaded firearm and a baggie with bullets inside.
Carlos Lopez, 32, of 64 Gage Street was charged with improperly storing a firearm, resisting arrest, carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of possession of ammunition without an FID card, firearm violation with 2 prior drug crimes, disorderly conduct, operating after having a suspended license, operating a rec vehicle on a public way, unregistered OHV, and 3 counts of possession of class B substance.
