New Bedford police apprehended a man for illegal gun possession in the city's North End, authorities reported Wednesday. Jonatas Mendes, 40, was caught with a .38 caliber revolver tucked in his waistband, a location law enforcement is all too familiar with.

After receiving a tip on March 25 around 10 a.m. about an armed man on County Street near Coggeshall Street, Ofc. Michael Dane quickly spotted a suspect matching the caller's description, according to a police statement. Mendes, a resident of Hazard Court, did not have, a permit for the weapon. He was promptly arrested and charged.

The incident raises ongoing questions about firearm security and law enforcement in urban areas, where the presence of unlicensed weapons continues to challenge police efforts. Mendes' charges include carrying a loaded firearm without a license, a serious offense that underscores the city's zero-tolerance policy for unregulated firearms.

The New Bedford Police Department invites anyone with relevant information regarding this case to come forward. Tips can be shared anonymously through the department’s website or by calling their dedicated tip line, at 508-99-CRIME. The police hope that community collaboration will help in curbing, the illegal possession and use of firearms.