Worcester Man Charged After Loaded Gun Found During Traffic Stop

WORCESTER, MA — A 20-year-old from Worcester is facing charges after a traffic stop this week.

Leonel Rivera, 20, was accused of possessing a loaded handgun after police say detectives found a 9mm firearm in a cross-body bag he was wearing during a traffic stop on Lincoln Street Tuesday evening.

A Gang Unit detective was patrolling the area around 7 p.m. when he spotted a vehicle believed to have been involved in a ShotSpotter activation in Great Brook Valley the previous day, Worcester police said.

The detective followed the vehicle as additional officers responded to assist. Police then conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Lincoln and Catharine streets, according to WPD.

While approaching the vehicle, police said detectives observed several open containers of alcohol inside.

Police said that while removing a rear passenger, identified as Rivera, from the vehicle, detectives located a loaded 9mm firearm inside a bag he was wearing.

Police said Rivera does not possess a license to carry a firearm. He was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of an open container of alcohol, and possession of a Class B substance.

Officers also arrested the vehicle’s owner, who faces charges of minor in possession of alcohol and possession of an open container of alcohol, police said.

A juvenile male in the vehicle will also be summoned on charges of possession of an open container of alcohol and minor in possession of alcohol, according to police.

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