Boston Police Recover Reportedly Stolen Gun During Traffic Stop

The driver reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign and did not use a turn signal, prompting officers to conduct a traffic stop.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Oct 27, 2026 10:04 AM EDT

Ridley is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

BOSTON, MA — A man is facing multiple firearm charges after officers recovered a loaded handgun during a traffic stop early Monday morning, according to the Boston Police Department.

Omari Ridley, 22, of Mattapan, was arrested at 3:18 a.m. near 12 Ferndale St. after officers observed a silver sedan commit multiple traffic violations while traveling through Mattapan. The firearm recovered during the stop was later determined to have been reported stolen out of Atlanta, Georgia.

Officers were conducting directed patrols near Mallard Avenue and New England Avenue when they observed the vehicle traveling toward Southern Avenue. The driver reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign and did not use a turn signal, prompting officers to conduct a traffic stop near the intersection of Southern Avenue and Ferndale Street.

As officers approached the vehicle, they observed Ridley, the driver, reaching into a red backpack behind the front passenger seat. Ridley reportedly continued moving around inside the vehicle and did not provide a driver's license or vehicle registration when requested.

While officers conducted an inquiry, they observed Ridley place a black piece of clothing over the backpack. Following further investigation, officers removed Ridley from the vehicle and conducted a pat-down frisk.

Officers subsequently examined the backpack and noticed that it contained a heavy object. Upon further inspection, they observed a black handle wrapped with multiple rubber bands, which was determined to be part of a firearm. Ridley was then placed in handcuffs.

Detectives responded to the scene and identified the weapon as a Taurus G3c 9mm handgun loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition. The firearm was equipped with a laser and light attachment. A subsequent inquiry determined that the gun had been reported stolen out of Atlanta and that Ridley did not have a license to carry a firearm.

Ridley is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District 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 receiving stolen property.