What started as a routine traffic stop on March 7 turned into a high-speed chase through Worcester, a foot pursuit, and the recovery of an unregistered "ghost gun" on an I-290 offramp, according to police. Officers say they arrested 22-year-old Carlos Ketter after he allegedly jumped out of his still-moving vehicle, which then rolled into two cruisers. Ketter now faces a stack of firearms and driving-related charges and was arraigned this week in Worcester District Court.
Police Say Driver Ran And Ditched Untraceable Gun
The Worcester Police Department says officers pulled over a vehicle near Millbury Street and Fifth Avenue shortly before 7:50 p.m. on March 7. The driver identified himself as Carlos Ketter and allegedly told officers he did not have a valid driver’s license. Police say he then took off at a high rate of speed, drove recklessly through several streets, exited the car on Fox Street and ran. During the chase, an officer reported seeing Ketter toss an object onto an I-290 offramp before officers caught up with him, according to the Worcester Police Department (Official) Facebook page.
Charges, Arraignment And Court Status
Court records show Ketter pleaded not guilty to 17 charges at his arraignment in Worcester District Court and is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, as reported by Yahoo. The filings include counts of assault with a dangerous weapon along with multiple firearms-related offenses.
What Officers Say They Recovered And Legal Context
Officers searched the I-290 offramp and recovered a firearm that the department’s Crime Scene Unit identified as a ghost gun, meaning it lacked a serial number. Massachusetts State Police assisted in expanding the search, and investigators say they found a black magazine and loose ammunition, according to the department’s post. Ghost guns are designed to be untraceable and have prompted new state rules; Massachusetts has enacted tighter serialization and registration requirements, per analysis from Giffords.
Local Enforcement Trend
The arrest comes on the heels of other recent enforcement actions in Worcester targeting illegal firearms, including a mid February sweep in which investigators reported seizing dozens of weapons and components in what local reporting described as an alleged home gun making operation. See Hoodline’s coverage of the alleged home gun factory raid for more on that operation.
