MULTIPLE FIREARM ARRESTS IN SOUTH END

BOSTON POLICE REMOVE FOUR FIREARMS FROM SOUTH END STREETS
Last evening in two separate incidents, Boston Police officers recovered four firearms from the South End area. Officers continue to practice extreme vigilance in this community as a result of a recent increase in firearm activity.
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis stated, “These arrests are a result of truly tenacious police work. I commend these officers for their dedication and diligence. I’m confident that their efforts will continue to decrease violent crime in the community and protect the quality of life for city residents.”
Incident Descriptions:
On December 17, 2006, at approximately 7:40pm, Boston Police operations broadcast a description of a suspect vehicle observed leaving the scene of a “shots fired” incident at 1833 Washington Street. The vehicle, a maroon Jeep Cherokee, was soon spotted by an officer parked and unoccupied at 35 Hammond Street. Officers approached the vehicle and observed a white powdered substance believed to be “crack cocaine” in plain view on the passenger door handle. Security officers on the scene directed BPD officers to the apartment where the vehicle’s occupants were believed to be. Officers proceeded to the residence in an effort to locate the operator of the Jeep and place to suspect under arrest for drug possession.
Officers knocked on the apartment door and requested entrance. Officers were permitted entrance into the apartment and were given consent to search. Officers observed a handgun in plain view and ordered all apartment occupants to present themselves to be searched for additional weapons. Officers proceed to search the apartment and located two additional firearms and a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. All evidence was secured. The suspects were taken into custody and booked on various charges at the District 4 Police Station.
The suspects and their charges include:
Sidoles M. Canelus, 22, Roxbury charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Rameses Canelus, 19, Roxbury charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Willian Courtney Jackson, 20, Roxbury charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Stephen Freeman, 17, Jamaica Plain charged with Possession of Class D and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Soukaina Menelas, 21, Milton charged with Possession of Class B and cited for Operating with a Suspended License
Eric Hinson, 20, Boston charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
On December 17, 2006, at approximately 9:48pm, officers from District 4 responded to a radio call for a Domestic Violence incident at 696 Massachusetts Ave. On arrival, officer observed suspect being handcuffed by detectives already on scene. The detectives stated that they observed the suspect, who matched the description of the individual involved in the domestic incident, looking inside the trunk of a black sedan on Massachusetts Ave. The suspect fled on foot from Mass. Ave in the direction of Harrison Ave. Officers continued a foot pursuit and observed the suspect throw an object with his left hand. They observed the object land under a parked motor vehicle. Under the vehicle, officers located a handgun.
Officers spoke to the victim, who stated that she called police after she engaged in a verbal argument with the suspect. The victim stated that the suspect broke her car window after she refused to allow him to use it. Officers observed a broken front-passenger window.
The 51-year-old suspect, Michael Betts, of Boston was transported to District 4 and booked for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Breaking and Entering Motor Vehicle and Larceny of Motor Vehicle.