Man with multiple guns arrested after late-night chase in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Police said an intoxicated bar patron was arrested for possessing multiple guns after leading police on a chase through New Bedford on Saturday.

The New Bedford Police Department said 20-year-old Gerald Ambrose threatened staff at The Morna Lounge before getting in his car and leading officers on a pursuit into Dartmouth.

Police said they were called to the bar on Acushnet Ave early Saturday morning after Ambrose allegedly threatened security staff with a gun.

Ambrose fled officers as they arrived, erratically traveling onto I-195 West into Dartmouth before eventually stopping and surrendering on Faunce Corner Road, according to authorities.

Officials said Ambrose was taken into custody and found to be intoxicated.

Police later determined he was operating with a .14 blood/alcohol level.

A search of the car revealed a loaded handgun on the driver’s side floor and an AR-15 rifle with three high-capacity magazines in the trunk, police said.

Officers received reports that a shotgun and rifle were at Ambrose’s girlfriend’s house in Dartmouth and the Dartmouth Police Department assisted in retrieving the weapons.

Authorities said Ambrose was charged with a variety of offenses, including:

• Assault with a dangerous weapon
• Failure to stop for police
• OUI liquor
• Carrying a firearm without a license
• Possession of high-capacity feeding devices
• Possession of a firearm with serial numbers defaced

“This is a great case that illustrates the unknown dangers officers face in responding to calls for service,” Chief Paul Oliveira said. “This was a volatile situation that could have ended in tragedy.”