FALL RIVER, MA — A 35-year-old man was taken into custody on October 2 after allegedly crashing into multiple parked vehicles, fleeing the scene on foot, and reaching for a concealed, loaded firearm while officers attempted to detain him.
At approximately 10:15 p.m., Fall River Police Department Patrol Bureau officers responded to a hit-and-run report in the 1300 block of Bay Street. Witnesses reported that the driver fled toward Abbot Court while repeatedly reaching toward and adjusting his waistband.
Officer Robson Pires located the suspect, identified as Jeremy Lopes (35), at the Abbot Court Playground. Lopes appeared unsteady and smelled of alcohol. When he ignored commands to raise his hands and reached into his waistband, Officer Pires intervened and restrained him after a brief struggle. Officers seized a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 pistol, two loaded magazines, two nip bottles, and four Suboxone pills from Lopes, who does not possess a Massachusetts License to Carry.
A subsequent investigation confirmed Lopes was operating the vehicle on a suspended license, and officers recovered additional ammunition alongside a 21-round magazine from the crash vehicle.
Lopes faces 11 charges:
- Carrying a Firearm Without a License
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License
- Possession of a Large-Capacity Firearm
- Possession of a Large-Capacity Feeding Device
- Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card
- OUI – Liquor
- Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Leaving the Scene of Property Damage
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License
- Marked Lanes Violation
- Possession of a Class B Substance
Chief J.T. Hoar commended Officer Pires and the responding officers for their decisive action and teamwork in safely disarming the suspect without injury to the public or officers.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
