Moped Rider Arrested With Loaded Gun In Downtown Crossing

A loaded weapon in one of the city's busiest spots could be dangerous.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Aug 21, 2026 1:46 PM EDT

BOSTON, MA — A man is facing multiple firearm charges after Boston Police recovered a loaded gun with 34 rounds of ammunition Thursday night during a traffic stop in Downtown Crossing.

Raequan Patterson, 29, of Roxbury, was arrested at approximately 8:49 p.m. after officers saw a red moped traveling on Washington Street from Bromfield Street toward Summer Street, a one-way street and designated pedestrian-only area. Police also saw two people riding the moped without helmets.

Officers initiated a traffic stop near Washington and Summer streets and asked Patterson, who was operating the moped, for his license and registration. Patterson reportedly provided only a temporary Massachusetts identification card and a bill of sale.

Officers asked Patterson to get off the moped and conducted a pat-frisk. When police attempted to frisk a satchel Patterson was wearing, he allegedly stepped away from officers before they regained control of him and felt an L-shaped object inside the bag.

Police reportedly recovered a black firearm equipped with an extended magazine from the satchel. Detectives determined the firearm had a Polymer80 PF940C lower receiver with no serial number and a slide of an unknown make or model. The gun was loaded with 34 rounds of 9mm ammunition, including one round in the chamber.

Patterson is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large-capacity firearm, and possession of a covert or undetectable firearm.

Patterson was also issued citations for operating a motor vehicle in an area closed to travel and improper operation of a motor vehicle.