SALEM — A self-described homeless man lost his gun Tuesday evening after police determined his behavior was not befitting a person with a loaded firearm. His companion — and passenger in his car — was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon without a license.
Police went to the former Sunoco gas station in the Depot just before 8 p.m. Tuesday for a report of suspicious activity. The first officer on the scene spotted the vehicle, but the driver took off when he saw the cruiser. Police stopped the car near the Scrubadub Carwash on Route 28.
The driver told police he had an unholstered gun in his waistband. Police determined the individual was licensed to carry a concealed weapon. He told police he was homeless and kept the gun in his car.
In the meantime, the investigating officer noticed his passenger was "extremely nervous and appeared to be hiding something by his leg," Deputy Chief Shawn Patten said.
Police removed 17-year-old Blayze Poliquin of Newton from the car and then discovered an unholstered and loaded .45-caliber Crusader pistol in the side pocket of the passenger side door.
Poliquin did not have a license to conceal a firearm and was taken into custody without incident.
Police also took the driver's .45-caliber Kimber pistol for safekeeping, due to his behavior at the time, Patten said.
"It would have been irresponsible of us to leave a loaded firearm in someone's possession who was exhibiting erratic behavior, and not securing it or carrying it in the proper fashion," Patten said.
Poliquin was released on $1,500 personal recognizance pending his arraignment on the misdemeanor charge in Salem District Court.
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