Crime & Safety

Driver Abandons Car, Police Find Him With Loaded Firearm

An Oxford man is facing a multitude of charges, including carrying a loaded gun without a license.

AUBURN, MA — An Oxford man is facing charges after police tried to pull him over on the highway, as he sped away and abandoned his car behind a business on Route 20.

On Thursday around 9:45 a.m., Trooper Jason Berry was monitoring traffic on Route 395 northbound in Auburn when he spotted a speeding Toyota Sequoia. Berry tried to pull the car over just before the Route 20 exit in Auburn, but the driver kept going onto Route 20. Following the vehicle, it had been abandoned in a lot behind a business on Route 20.

Police found the driver, Bryan Townes, 25, Oxford, walking on the road.

Police found Townes in possession of a loaded .357 Ruger revolver (pictured) without a proper license.

He was charged with:

  1. Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle;
  2. Speeding;
  3. Negligent operation of a motor vehicle;
  4. Unlawful possession of a firearm;
  5. Unlawful possession of ammunition; and
  6. Operator refusing to identify self.

Photo via Massachusetts State Police