Worcester, MA (March 9, 2010) - On March 7, 2010 at approximately 2:00 AM Officer Jeremy Smith of the Worcester Police Operations Division was on routine patrol when he came upon a fight on Mechanics Street in the area of the Mid Town Mall. Officer Smith called for additional officers to assist in dispersing the crowd. A short time later the crowd had dispersed and the officers were returning to their cruisers when another officer called out for assistance at Venue, which is located on Main Street just around the corner from where the officers were.

As the officers arrived at Venue the crowd was dispersing, Officer Smith was then approached by an individual who had informed him that there was a gun inside a particular vehicle that was just pulling away. Several officers now on the scene stopped the vehicle while other officers maintained order at Venue. As officers approached the vehicle they immediately ordered the two female occupants to exit the vehicle. Once safely removed, Officer Mike Foley approached the vehicle and observed a black handgun partially under the seat.

The woman stated that during the altercation outside of Venue a male had tossed the firearm into their vehicle and then jumped into another vehicle and drove off just prior to the arrival of the police. The firearm is a .38 caliber revolver which had the serial numbers ground off. This weapon was loaded with three live rounds.

At this time the woman, Ms. Carmen Minaya, 21 years old of 2 Orne Street, Worcester and Ms. Kyla Perez, 22 years old of 55 Gates Road, Worcester were placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Ammo and Possession of a Firearm without an FID, Improperly Storing a Firearm, Defacing a Firearm Serial Number and Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License.

Operation officers continued to investigate this matter and as a result a Melvin Medina was placed under arrest on 03/08/2010 at approximately 10:00 AM. Mr. Medina is 19 years old of 2 Orne Street, Worcester, he was charged with Possession of Ammunition and a Firearm Without an FID, Improperly Storing a Firearm, Defacing a Firearm Serial Number and Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License.