Gun with Armor-Piercing Capability Seized in Fall River Gang Raid

FALL RIVER — Two people have been arrested after a lengthy investigation into gang operations in Fall River.

Members of the Fall River Police Department Gang Unit conducted an investigation over several weeks into the illegal possession of firearms by members of the Gangster Disciples gang. During the investigation, police learned of two locations being used as "stash houses" for guns belonging to gang members.

Police obtained search warrants for the "stash houses" at 8 Orswell Street, 2nd Floor, and 370 Ferry Street, 3rd Floor. Before executing the warrants, the Fall River Police Department Gang Unit, Special Operations Division, and the Southeastern Massachusetts FBI Gang Task Force organized a plan to conduct surveillance and then execute the warrants simultaneously.

Just after noon on Tuesday, undercover task force members witnessed the targets of the investigation, Jose Colon-Ortiz, 20, of Fall River, and a 17-year-old male juvenile, also of Fall River, exit the Ferry Street residence and meet with an unidentified male in what appeared to be a drug transaction.

Shortly after, Colon-Ortiz and the male juvenile were seen entering a vehicle and leaving the area. Police conducted a motor vehicle stop and observed a gun on the rear passenger floor near the juvenile's foot. Police inspected the gun and identified it as a CZ-52 7.62 TOCK CZECH, a gun that police say has the capability of firing armor-piercing ammunition. The gun was loaded with three rounds of ammunition remaining in the clip.

A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 8.8 grams of marijuana, digital scales,  and 26 Xanax pills.

The two suspects were detained while police executed the search warrants at the "stash houses" on Ferry Street and Orswell Street.

As a result of the searches, police located an additional 19.2 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, packaging materials, two replica pellet guns, and $1,925 in cash.

Both suspects were arrested.

Colon-Ortiz is charged with carrying/possessing a non-large capacity firearm in public, carrying a loaded firearm in public without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession with intent to distribute a Class C substance, possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance, and firearm law violation with three prior violent or drug crime convictions.

The 17-year-old male juvenile has been charged with carrying/possessing a non-large capacity firearm in public, carrying a loaded firearm in public without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance.

Both suspects are due in court Wednesday for arraignment.