3 facing firearm charges after separate incidents in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department said three people are facing firearm charges after three separate investigations in November.

On Nov. 12, officers were patrolling the North End around 9 p.m. when they saw a vehicle trespassing inside a recreational park’s parking lot that was closed.

Officers approached the vehicle and allegedly saw smoke inside it, as well as two rolled marijuana joints.

Police said the passenger, 19-year-old Quinn Raposo, allegedly had a firearm in his waistband, which contained one 9mm round in the chamber and a loaded large-capacity feeding device.

Officials said the other passenger possessed a knife longer than two and a half inches.

Officers searched the vehicle and allegedly found an open container of alcohol.

Raposo was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, unlawful possession of a high-capacity feeding device, and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

The operator was issued citations for the open container of alcohol and marijuana.

The next day, officers were notified that 21-year-old Victor Monteiro was allegedly in possession of a firearm without a valid license.

When officers attempted to stopped Monteiro on South Second Street, police said he ran off and caused a police pursuit.

Monteiro was arrested and told officers he allegedly discarded his firearm during the pursuit.

Police found the alleged weapon, which had one round in the chamber and an additional four rounds in the magazine.

Monteiro was charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and a firearm violation with two prior violent/drug offenses.

Police added that Monteiro was convicted in November 2023 of carrying a firearm without a license and two counts of assault and battery with a firearm.

On Nov. 20, officers saw a vehicle with a failed inspection sticker and a defective passenger-side license plate light on County and Linden Streets.

Police said officers activated their blue lights and saw the driver and passenger “moving abruptly inside the vehicle.”

When police asked the passenger, 19-year-old Dwaine Muhammad, to step out of the vehicle, officers allegedly located a black crossbody bag containing a gun with three rounds and no serial number.

Muhammad was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

The driver was issued citations for motor vehicle violations.