Two young men found themselves handcuffed and at the center of a police investigation following an assault and firearms bust in New Bedford's North End on Tuesday. The City of New Bedford Police Department says in a social media post that authorities were called to a gas station disturbance initially, where they met with an individual claiming to have been struck in the face at their apartment complex while trying to collect personal belongings, and as this person tried to leave, two males reportedly flashed firearms at them.
In the follow-up, police traced the alleged assailants to an apartment at 10 LaFrance Court, where the pair, identified as Yomar Colon, 18, and Jose Velez, 20, both from Providence, refused the officers' request to search their abode. Detectives secured a search warrant to execute a thorough investigation, and in their search, officers found a Charter Arms .38 Special revolver and 50 rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Neither Colon nor Velez, legally old enough to possess a Massachusetts License to Carry, were subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including assault and possession of firearms and ammunition without the requisite FID card.
Police Chief Jason Thody praised the response team's effectiveness, saying, "I want to commend everyone who responded to this incident," reflecting on the coordination that enabled a swift arrest and likely prevented further danger, as noted by the New Bedford Police Department. Anyone with information related to this or other incidents is encouraged to reach out anonymously to authorities by calling 508-99-CRIME or submitting a tip online.
