Boston Police Department

05/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/26/2024 07:51

Traffic Stop Leads to Recovery of Two Loaded Large Capacity Firearms

At about 1:12 AM, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, officers assigned to the Anti-Crime Unit of District B-2 (Roxbury) arrested Avery Combs Jr., 32, of Dorchester, and Jashun Cooley, 38, of Roxbury, on firearm charges.

Officers were on patrol in the area of Erie Street and Washington Street when they observed a motor vehicle fail to stop at a red light, and make a right turn at a red light with a posted "No Turn on Red". Officers were able to get behind the motor vehicle, and observed it now operating at a high rate of speed.

At this time, officers activated their cruiser's emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. The motor vehicle failed to stop, and officers requested further assistance. A second B-2 unit responded, and was able to assist in stopping the motor vehicle in the area of 16 Bullard Street.

As officers approached the vehicle, they observed the operator bend over and reach towards the floor. Officers requested the operator to turn off the vehicle, and exit the car which he refused. Officers attempted to gain control of the operator, and a violent struggle ensued. The front passenger attempted to pull the operator back into the vehicle, until the operator was finally placed into handcuffs. The front passenger was then handcuffed as well.

Officers also requested the rear passenger to exit the vehicle, which he also refused. After multiple requests, the rear passenger stepped out of the vehicle, and was also placed into handcuffs.

After further investigation, officers located two firearms from inside the vehicle. The firearms were later determined to be a Ruger SR9C with one round in the chamber, and eleven rounds in the magazine, and a Smith & Wesson SW9V with one round in the chamber and fifteen rounds in the magazine. Both firearms also had obliterated serial numbers.

Combs Jr. and Cooley were placed under arrest and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, and defacement of a firearm serial number.

Cooley was additionally charged with failure to stop for police, and resisting arrest. Both are expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.

The other passenger was promptly released from the scene.