Unlawful Gun Possession Leaves One in Police Custody on District C-11 (Dorchester)

At about 4:47am, on Saturday, January 12, 2013, officers from District C-11 (Dorchester) responded to a call to investigate a person in the area of 26 Orne Street in Dorchester. While responding to the call, officers observed a motor vehicle, running with its lights on, parked in front of 9 Auriga Street. As officers got closer to the car, the car, which was occupied by two individuals, attempted to drive off. Seeing this, officers instructed the operator to stop the vehicle. While talking to the occupants of the car, officers recognized one of the occupants (the female passenger) as a person with outstanding warrants. As such, the female passenger was asked to exit the car and was placed under arrest.

While talking to the operator of the vehicle, officers observed what appeared to be illegal narcotics in plain view on the center console and floor of the vehicle. When asked about the drugs, the operator nervously stated that he had recently loaned the car to his brother and the drugs likely belonged to him. Officers asked the operator to exit the vehicle. Once outside the vehicle, a pat frisk of the suspect enabled officers to feel and seize a firearm tucked inside the suspect’s waistband.

Officers arrested Marcus Meritt, 35, of Boston and charged him with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Loaded Firearm and Possession of a Class B Drug (cocaine).