SHREWSBURY — A routine traffic stop escalated into a high-speed pursuit Thursday evening, ending with the arrest of a Webster man on multiple firearms charges.
Sgt. Caviston and Officer Juaire of the Shrewsbury Police Department initiated a motor vehicle stop at about 6:38 p.m. on Hartford Turnpike (Rt. 20) Eastbound, near the intersection of Rt. 140, for an equipment violation.
The vehicle, a grey 2016 Lexus, was operated by the sole occupant, who was later identified as 33-year-old Tarrell Berry of Webster.
During the stop, officers noticed multiple open alcohol containers and a black “fanny pack” style bag on the passenger seat, prompting them to ask Berry to exit the vehicle.
Berry hesitated, and as an officer opened the door, he suddenly accelerated away, leading police on a chase eastbound on Rt. 20.
The pursuit continued until Berry attempted to merge onto Rt. 9 Eastbound in Northborough, where he collided with another vehicle, disabling his Lexus.
Officers apprehended Berry after a brief struggle.
A subsequent search for the discarded fanny pack, which officers believed Berry had thrown from his vehicle during the chase, involved K-9 units from Milford, Charlton, and the Massachusetts State Police.
The bag was recovered approximately one mile from the initial traffic stop, containing a 9MM handgun loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition with a defaced serial number.
Berry, who did not have a license to carry firearms, now faces charges including failure to stop for police, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, resisting arrest, an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and several civil motor vehicle infractions such as speeding and a red light violation.
