A 21-year-old Brighton man was arrested by police on several firearm-related crimes Wednesday evening after he allegedly threw away a loaded firearm while evading officers close to Almont Park.
According to the Boston Police Department, police on patrol in the Mattapan area noticed over 20 persons gathered on Orlando Street at 9:21 p.m., and Joshua Villar-Diaz was arrested.
After speaking with the group and leaving the area, officers returned when a sergeant detective reported that two people who had entered the park had returned to the street.
According to investigators, the group grew violent toward police when cops returned to separate the crowd.
One man entered the park, and policemen trailed behind him while he kept turning around to face where they were.
According to authorities, the suspect then started running at full speed, which led to a foot pursuit.
During the pursuit, officers radioed that the subject was holding onto his waistline.
When they saw the guy rushing toward them while clutching his waistline, police officers across the park pulled out their guns and told him to halt.
Police said that before raising his hands, the man took something from his belt and tossed it away.
Beside the suspect, officers found a discarded Glock 43 with nine shots in the magazine and one fire in the chamber.
Officers were warned that the mob on Orlando Street was trying to encircle them as they handcuffed Villar-Diaz.
According to authorities, several members of the crowd threatened to physically damage police officers, so officers from different districts arrived to assist in dispersing the mob.
Officers found that a police cruiser had been vandalized after the situation was brought under control.
According to the authorities, the rear driver’s side tire was cut and a cinder brick was thrown through the rear glass.
On accusations of carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and violating the firearm laws in connection with two previous violent or drug-related offenses, Villar-Diaz is scheduled to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.