"Gun, mask seized after routine traffic stop in Burlington" by Jasper Craven | Globe Correspondent, July 31, 2013
State Police arrested a man and woman in Burlington Tuesday night after a routine speeding stop led to the discovery of a loaded, semi-automatic firearm and a black mask, officials said.
In print I was told it was an alarming discovery and a Halloween mask.
At about 8:50 p.m. Tuesday, Trooper Paul Langone stopped a vehicle on Route 3 in Burlington for speeding.
My printed paper says 85 in a 55.
In his initial investigation, Langone learned that the driver, Selina Salafia, 20, of Lowell had a suspended operator’s license. Langone also observed alcohol in the vehicle as well as a black mask, State Police said.
And my printed report says he noticed a strong odor of marijuana, but I guess the Globe's censored version can't smell it.
Langone continued to investigate, removing passenger Torrie Tatum, 22, of Boston from the car and frisking him. Langone discovered a loaded firearm on Tatum with a scratched-off serial number.
A ".45 semiautomatic pistol that was loaded with four hollow point bullets," according to my printed paper.
Tatum and Salafia were subsequently taken to the State Police barracks in Concord, officials said.
Tatum was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Salafia was issued a summons for operating after license suspension, speeding, and transporting alcohol as a minor.
Now I'm going to hand type the rest of my printed paper because this particular individuals role has been scrubbed from the web:
Torrie Tatum, 22, of Boston, and Domingo Mendes, 21, of Belmont were arraigned Wednesday in Woburn District Court, where they both pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
But no pot charge?
Judge Marianne Hinkle ordered that Tatum be held on $10,000 cash bail and Mendes on $5,000 cash bail, which was revoked because of an open assault-and-battery charge in Waltham.
"The combination of items found raises strong suspicions that the defendants may have had intent to commit a serious crime," said State Police spokesman David Procopio.
He will comment here.
Langone saw a black mask partially concealed under the seat in front of Tatum, who was riding in the back, prosecutors say.
Upon questioning, Tatum told Langone that the mask was a Halloween mask for his daughter, police said.
When Langone informed Tatum that it was July, he replied that he wanted to give the gift early.
Mendes, who had an active driver's license, was allowed to leave. But Sarah Fallon, an assistant Middlesex district attorney, said in court, that at 2:40 a.m. Wednesday, Mendes arrived at the State Police barracks in Concord and volunteered a written statement admitting that he owned the firearm found on Tatum.
The rest is basically about the boys crying in the courtroom while their mothers were there.
--more--"
Why would you rub off a serial number unless.... planned mayhem and a psyop?
Cops just got lucky?
