A 26-year-old Taunton man was arrested Wednesday evening after Boston Police say he tried to flee from officers during a traffic stop in Mattapan and was found carrying a loaded handgun.
Police said District B-3 officers stopped a vehicle near 10 Hosmer St. at about 6:35 p.m. on Sept. 23 after allegedly seeing the driver, identified as Hericles De Pina, using a cellphone while driving near Blue Hill Avenue and Clarkwood Street.
A records check showed that De Pina had an active warrant from Salem, New Hampshire, according to police. When officers informed him of the warrant and ordered him out of the vehicle, police say he refused, shifted the vehicle into drive, and attempted to flee.
De Pina allegedly drove onto a sidewalk before reversing toward officers and striking a police vehicle.
Officers then removed him from the vehicle. During a struggle, police said De Pina kept one hand near his waistband, where officers later recovered a loaded 9mm Polymer 80 handgun containing three rounds of ammunition.
De Pina was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, assault by means of a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, and fugitive from justice.
He is expected to be arraigned today in Dorchester court.
