Motor Vehicle Stop on Route 3 Leads to Arrest for Unlawful Firearm Possession

By Richard Hosford

A motor vehicle stop in Burlington Tuesday night led to a pair of arrests, including of a male on charges related to having a handgun with an obliterated serial number. 

At 8:50 p.m. last night, Trooper Paul Langone of the State Police Concord Barracks conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 3 in Burlington for speeding, according to a release from the Mass State Police. During the encounter, Trooper Langone learned that the operator’s license was suspended and she was under the age of 21. Trooper Langone observed alcohol in the vehicle along with a black face mask.

As Trooper Langone conducted his investigation, he removed a male passenger from the vehicle and conducted a pat frisk for weapons. 

During the pat frisk, Trooper Langone discovered a loaded semi-automatic firearm with an obliterated serial number. The passenger was placed under arrest and identified as Torrie Tatum, 22, of Boston. 

Tatum was transported to the State Police Concord Barracks and charged with the following offenses:

• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;

• Unlawful possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number;

• Unlawful possession of Ammunition.

The female operator was identified as Selina Salafia, 20, of Lowell. Salafia was issued a summons for the following offenses:

•  Operating After License Suspension

• Minor Transporting Alcohol

• Speeding