A New Bedford man is facing firearms and motor vehicle charges following a brief chase Monday night.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente says members of the Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau were targeting the area of Coffin Avenue and Ashley Boulevard after receiving neighborhood complaints about increased activity.

A Dodge Caravan was observed leaving the area around 11:15 p.m. without headlights on.

The vehicle refused to stop and a low speed chase occurred from Ashley Boulevard to Acushnet Ave.

Vicente says the Caravan then picked up speed and went to the area behind Brooklawn Park where it struck a fence near Irvington St.

The driver, identified as 53-year-old Nathaniel Miller, then fled the vehicle on foot discarding a a loaded Lorcin .380 semi automatic firearm.

Miller was apprehended without incident.

It was then learned that Miller's driver's license was suspended and that he doesn't possess a license to carry a firearm.

He was charged as a subsequent offender due to a 2005 conviction for possessing a sawed off shotgun.

Miller was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning.

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