NEW BEDFORD — A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a South End shooting earlier this month after being caught with an illegal gun, authorities said.
The New Bedford Police Department apprehended Jose Mendez-Garcia, 33, on July 10 during a surveillance operation by narcotics detectives in the Nye Street and Acushnet Avenue area.
Mendez-Garcia, of 129 Bluefield St., was observed discarding a cross-body bag containing a magazine with ten rounds of 9mm ammunition as detectives approached a group drinking alcohol in public.
A loaded Smith & Wesson handgun, which was reported stolen from Taunton, was found nearby.
Mendez-Garcia was initially charged with possession of an open container of alcohol, carrying a loaded large-capacity firearm without a license, and receiving stolen property.
Detective George Coto made the arrest.
Further investigation by Detective Jordan Dasilva linked Mendez-Garcia to a July 5 shooting outside 12 Roosevelt St., where a male victim was injured and transported to St. Luke’s hospital.
Mendez-Garcia now faces additional charges including assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and other serious offenses.
With three prior convictions for violent and drug-related crimes, Mendez-Garcia was further charged with a firearm violation with three prior violent/drug offenses.
Chief Paul Oliveira praised his department’s efforts, saying, “This is strong work from the Detective Division on two occasions with the same suspect.
First, they took the suspect into custody, and an illegal firearm was taken off the street.
Next, they built a case that implicated the suspect in a shooting incident during which a victim was seriously injured.
It’s clear to me that a dangerous individual is in custody right now due to their diligence, and the city is a safer place today because of it.
I’m very proud of all the men and women in this department.”
The New Bedford Police Department encourages anyone with information related to the case to contact them anonymously through their website at www.newbedfordpd.com or by calling (508)-99-CRIME.
