DORCHESTER — Boston police arrested a man and seized a large capacity firearm after responding to a Shot Spotter activation in Dorchester late Tuesday night.
Officers assigned to District B-3 (Mattapan/Dorchester) were dispatched at about 10:42 p.m. to 140 Centre St. following the alert.
En route, they encountered a Kia Optima traveling at a high rate of speed away from the direction of the activation.
The vehicle also failed to obey a stop sign.
After observing the Kia’s aggressive driving and excessive speed, officers activated their emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop.
They identified the driver as Patrick Ricketts, 32, of Dorchester, and discovered through a query that he was unlicensed and had two prior convictions for illegal firearms possession in Suffolk Superior Court and Plymouth Superior Court.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a Glock 19 Gen 5 .9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine on the front passenger floorboard.
The magazine was loaded with 16 rounds, and one round was chambered.
Ricketts was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License, Carrying a Firearm Without a License, Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card, and a Firearm Violation with 2 Prior Firearm and/or Drug Crimes.
He was also issued citations for operating a vehicle after suspension, failing to stop at a stop sign, and operating a vehicle at a speed greater than reasonable.
Ricketts is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.
