BOSTON — A detective’s observation of a traffic violation led to the arrest of a South Boston man and the recovery of an assault rifle in West Roxbury on Wednesday.
At about 12:45 p.m., officers assigned to District E-5 arrested Brendan Donovan, 45, on multiple firearm charges.
According to police, a detective on patrol near Centre Street and Lorette Street observed an individual on a scooter carrying a duffel bag run a red light.
The detective watched as the scooter drove onto the sidewalk toward Temple Street before parking in a lot at 7 Spring Street.
Police said the detective also observed two masked individuals walking from the same area who met with Donovan in the parking lot behind an unoccupied van.
After requesting backup, the detective approached the group with a walking beat officer and immediately spotted a firearm in Donovan’s waistband, which was later determined to be a less lethal CO2 firearm.
When additional officers arrived, they removed Donovan from the scooter and conducted a pat frisk of the green duffel bag he was carrying.
Inside the bag, officers discovered an AR-15 camouflage assault rifle with two magazines containing thirty rounds and twenty-seven rounds, according to police.
Officers also recovered a Byrna Less Lethal Pistol with eight projectiles in the magazine and a small plastic bag of Fentanyl from the duffel bag.
The unregistered scooter was towed from the scene, while the two other individuals were identified and released.
Donovan faces charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a rifle, two counts of unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, and possession of Class A drugs.
He is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court.
