Last night in Dorchester, a Shot Spotter alert led Boston police to apprehend a man for multiple firearms charges. Officers from District B-3 (Mattapan/Dorchester) were responding to the alert when they halted a vehicle after spotting erratic driving behavior. The driver, identified as 32-year-old Patrick Ricks from Dorchester, was subsequently arrested.
The incident occurred at around 10:42 PM, Tuesday, on Centre Street. According to the official report, officers witnessed a Kia Optima driving away from the area at a high speed and failing to adhere to a stop sign. A traffic stop ensued shortly after, revealing that Ricks was driving without a license and had two prior convictions related to firearm offenses.
Search of the vehicle turned up a Glock 19 Gen 5 .9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine and loaded with ammunition on the floorboard of the front passenger seat. Detailed inspection by the B-3 Detectives confirmed that the weapon was capable of holding 17 rounds with 16 in the magazine and one chambered round.
Ricks now faces charges including Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License and Possession of Large Capacity Firearm. In addition to the firearms-related offenses, he was also cited for several traffic violations. An arraignment in Dorchester District Court is pending for Ricks, as per the police account of the incident.
