Cambridge Man Busted With 28 Guns, 'Deeply Troubling,' Say Police

CAMBRIDGE, MA— A tip from the U.S. Postal Service to Cambridge Police led to the arrest of a local man and the confiscation of 28 illegal firearms, including assault rifles, a silencer, bulletproof vests and a milling machine, authorities said.

"The operation that was identified was deeply troubling and the results of this long-term investigation will make a significant positive impact on our community," Police Commissioner Branville Bard Jr. said in a statement.

Mathew Devine, 39, of 43 Seven Pines Avenue in Cambridge, was arrested late Tuesday and charged with 26 counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition without a license, police said. It's unclear what Devine was planning to do with the weapons, but he told police it had to do with a hobby of his.

In July, the U.S. Postal Inspection Services tipped police to what they deemed suspicious activity at Devine’s home. As police investigated during the next four months, they found more than 75 packages worth more than $26,000 were delivered to Devine, including a complete AR-15 build kit and a milling machine (which can be used to make guns untraceable), with return addresses from gun and weapon companies.

The gun parts were purchased online, distributed through the mail and assembled into untraceable complete firearms, police said. Devine did not have a license to carry, they said.

On Tuesday afternoon, police executed search warrants at Devine’s home and a family member’s home on Gold Star Road. After searching both homes, police seized a number of items, including:

• 25 illegal firearms
• 3 unregistered assault rifles
• Parts to make dozens of additional illegal firearms
• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
• Five bulletproof vests and other body armor
• Milling machines

Devine will be charged with 26 counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition without an FID Card, three counts of illegal possession of assault rifles, six counts of illegal possession of a large-capacity feeding device, three counts of possession of a silencer, one count of possession of ammunition, and one count of use of body armor in the commission of a felony. He is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Cambridge District Court.

“I wanted to commend our Detectives and our cooperating partners, who have diligently worked on this case over the last several months,” said Bard.

Cambridge Police are asking anyone who may have more information to contact (617) 349-3300. Those who wish to submit tips anonymously via phone, text message or e-mail, can visit Anonymous Crime Tips.

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Photos courtesy Cambridge Police Department