State Police Patrol Makes One Arrest and Seizes Two Loaded Firearms

Last evening, on September 2, 2006 at about 9 p.m., Trooper Michael Fitzgerald began working an OUI Saturation Patrol in the State Police C-Troop area as part of this weekend's motor vehicle enforcement efforts.

At about 9:30 p.m. Trooper Fitzgerald stopped a black Honda Accord for a license plate light violation on Merriam Avenue in Leominster. The operator of the Honda was identified as Albert N. Lopez, age 18 of 86 Pleasant Street in Leominster. The Honda was in the process of being towed when the operator and the four other occupants that had been in the Honda prior to being stopped began fleeing the scene because Trooper Fitzgerald observed two semi-automatic pistols on the floor inside the Honda.

Albert N. Lopez was immediately taken into custody by Trooper Fitzgerald. He was subsequently transported to the State Police Leominster Barracks, booked and charged with the following: Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle plate light violation, no seat belt, possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a large capacity magazine and receiving a stolen firearm. He is currently being held at the State Police Leominster Barracks. Bail has been set at $10,000. The charges are out of Leominster District Court.

A search of the area immediately after the other four occupants fled the scene was conducted by members of the State Police Leominster Barracks, Devens Barracks, Athol Barracks, Holden Barracks, the State Police Canine Section and the Leominster Police Department including one Leominster Police Department canine officer. Officers were unable to locate the four other occupants during this search but the investigation is still continuing and more charges shall be forthcoming. The State Police recovered one loaded H & K 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol and one loaded Ruger 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol from the Honda during their investigation.

This incident is still under investigation. No further information is currently available for disclosure. Please do not contact the barracks directly. Furthermore, the aforementioned OUI Saturation Patrol was funded by the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau as part of this weekend's You Drink and Drive. You Lose mobilization.

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