New Bedford police catch repeat offender with second gun

NEW BEDFORD, R.I. (WLNE) — The New Bedford Police Department said they seized crack cocaine and a loaded gun from a repeat offender on Monday.

Police said they conducted a traffic stop on a car in the area of Spring Street and South Sixth Street when the passenger of the vehicle began fleeing on foot.

Authorities said 19-year-old Luis Garcia was found trespassing in a nearby parking lot, wearing a mask discarding a gun over a fence.

Police said they attempted to arrest Garcia but he resisted. Once cuffed, police said they found a bag that contained 29 smaller bags full of crack cocaine.

The firearm he threw over the fence was determined to be a Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol loaded with 10 bullets.

They said Garcia was also found to be in possession of 29 grams of marijuana and over $400 in cash.

Court documents show Garcia was arrested in February of 2022 for a similar crime.

During the previous crime, police said he was fund to be in possession of a loaded 9mm pistol, crack cocaine and marijuana packaged for street-level sales.

Authorities said those matters remain open in New Bedford district court where Garcia was charged 10 times.

As a result of Monday’s incident, Garcia is now charged with trespassing, trafficking in excess of 18 grams of cocaine, carrying a loaded firearm, ammunition and a high-capacity feeding device while committing a felony.