On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, officers assigned to District B-3 (Mattapan) arrested Joshua Villar-Diaz, 21, of Brighton, on multiple firearm charges.
At about 9:21 PM, officers were on patrol in the area of Orlando Street when they observed a group of about twenty people congregating on the street next to Almont Park. As officers turned onto the street, they were approached by three individuals from the group, but immediately observed two of the group members to begin walking inside the park.
After speaking with the group, the officers left the area. A Sergeant Detective advised officers that once they left, the two individuals who walked into the park had returned back onto the street. Officers devised a plan to have additional units to return to the area to disperse the crowd.
Upon arrival, the group now became hostile towards officers, and one of the earlier individuals was once again seen walking into the park. Officers began to follow the individual who continuously looked back at officers’ location.
The suspect then took off in a full sprint, and a foot pursuit ensued. Officers radioed their location, and stated that the suspect was clutching his waistband. Officers on the other side of the park, observed the suspect running towards them while holding his waistband. The officers drew their department issued firearms and ordered the suspect to stop.
The suspect pulled an unknown item out of his waistband and threw it to the side, before putting his hands up. A discarded firearm was located next to the suspect, and was determined to be a Glock 43 with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine.
As officers placed the suspect into handcuffs, they were alerted by officers on Orlando Street that the crowd was attempting to surround them. Officers from various Districts converged on the area to assist with dispersing the crowd. Multiple members of the group were enticing violence and threatened physical harm to officers.
Once order was restored, officers observed that a cruiser had been vandalized by the group. A cinder block was thrown through the rear windshield causing it to smash, and the rear driver’s side tire was slashed.
Villar-Diaz was placed under arrest and is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court for the following charges:
▪ Carrying a Firearm Without a License 2nd Offense
▪ Carrying a Firearm Without a License
▪ Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License
▪ Firearm Violation with Two Prior Violent/Drug Crimes