Gun Found in New Bedford Bar Bathroom Leads to Arrest

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police arrested a city man Monday night on firearms charges after recovering a firearm from the men’s room of a North End bar.

Gun Found Inside Bar Bathroom

Police responded just before 11 p.m. on March 30 to a report of a fight possibly involving a firearm at the Vibes Lounge on Acushnet Avenue.

Officers arrived and spoke with Brent Lagoa, 31, who said it had been an argument between friends, but that those involved had already left. He told police there was no firearm involved.

However, when officers were checking the establishment, they found a black jacket on the floor of the men’s room. Inside the jacket, they found a Titan Tiger .38 Special revolver.

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Surveillance Video Shows Gun Movement

According to police, security camera footage showed Lagoa enter the bar with the firearm in his right hand, placing it on a shelf behind the bar. He was seen retrieving it a short time later, placing it in his jacket and walking alone into the bathroom before exiting without the jacket.

Arrest Made, Charges Filed

Police said Lagoa does not possess a license to carry a firearm in Massachusetts. He was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.