Gunfire detection technology has once again proved its worth in Worcester, where a ShotSpotter alert has facilitated the swift arrest of a suspect wanted on multiple charges, including gun possession without a license. The incident unfolded on the evening of December 19th, when officers, tipped off by the gunfire-detection system, zeroed in on the location of the alert near Arlington St., only to cross paths with the suspect in question, according to a police department press release.
Hector Perez, a 26-year-old resident of Eastern Ave, was the man behind the wheel of a red Mercedes when the officers, responding to the ShotSpotter activation, spotted him and initiated a traffic stop on Fox St; a recent warrant for his arrest was in connection with an episode where shots had been fired, the man opened his car door as soon as he was pulled over then bolted on foot toward Pattison St., with police in hot pursuit.
During the chase, an observant officer caught a glimpse of Perez reaching toward his waistband, raising immediate concern over potential danger. With reinforcement from a second officer, law enforcement secured Perez and conducted a thorough search, unearthing a loaded gun, varying quantities of narcotics, and illegal prescription medications hidden in his vehicle, the suspect—who lacked a legal firearm license—is now facing a laundry list of charges that range from drug trafficking to resisting arrest.
This latest arrest not only underscores the efficacy of ShotSpotter in aiding police to pinpoint firearm-related incidents, but it also highlights the relentless vigil of Worcester officers to keep the streets clear of criminal elements that possess weapons illegally, traffic dangerous substances, and pose a threat to the community peace and the well-being of its citizens.
