Crime & Safety

Suspect in Illegal Gun Case Says Mask Was Part of Halloween Costume

Torrie Tatum, 22, of Boston, was arraigned in Woburn District Court yesterday.

Update- 

The man arrested Tuesday night on charges related to possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number was in Woburn District Court yesterday. 

Torrie Tatum, 22, of Boston, was arraigned in Woburn District Court yesterday facing charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;Unlawful possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number and Unlawful possession of Ammunition. He was held on a $10,000 bail, the Boston Herald reported. Police found a loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol with an obliterated serial number on his person during a pat frisk after the motor vehicle stop. 

A black mask also found in the vehicle came up during the court. Tatum said it was an early Halloween present for his daughter, the Herald reported. 

Another passenger, Domingo Mendes, 21, was held on a $5,000 bail. He admitted to police the gun was owned by him, WHDH.com reported. The court revoked his bail in connection to an open assault and battery case in Waltham

Original Story-

Find out what's happening in Burlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A motor vehicle stop in Burlington last night led to a pair of arrests, including of a male on charges related to having a handgun with an obliterated serial number. 

At 8:50 p.m. last night, Trooper Paul Langone of the State Police Concord Barracks conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 3 in Burlington for speeding, a release from the Mass State Police States. During the encounter, Trooper Langone learned that the operator’s license was suspended and she was under the age of 21. Trooper Langone observed alcohol in the vehicle along with a black face mask.

Find out what's happening in Burlingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As Trooper Langone conducted his investigation, he removed a male passenger from the vehicle and conducted a pat frisk for weapons. During the pat frisk, Trooper Langone discovered a loaded semi-automatic firearm with an obliterated serial number. The passenger was placed under arrest and identified as Torrie Tatum, 22, of Boston. Tatum was transported to the State Police Concord Barracks and charged with the following offenses:

  • Unlawful Possession of a Firearm;
  • Unlawful possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number;
  • Unlawful possession of Ammunition.

The female operator was identified as Selina Salafia, 20, of Lowell. Salafia was issued a summons for the following offenses:

  •  Operating After License Suspension

  • Minor Transporting Alcohol
  • Speeding


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