NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police arrested a man after he allegedly fled from police while carrying a loaded handgun.

According to police, detectives assigned to the Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau were conducting surveillance in the central section of the city on January 31, “targeting street-level narcotics sales and criminal activity,” they said.

Police said Detective Jonathan Miranda received information that Dwayne Watkins, 21, of New Bedford was in possession of a firearm.

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Watkins was spotted at around 8:30 p.m. in the area of the Tremont Street and James Street intersection. As officers approached him, police said Watkins “immediately fled on foot and appeared to be holding an item firmly against his body.”

Watkins was eventually subdued in a nearby yard, and was allegedly in possession of a loaded .380 Smith & Wesson handgun.

Det. Miranda placed Watkins under arrest. He is charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

“These officers were aware that they were pursuing a young man who was armed with a gun that he could have turned and fired on them at any time,” Police Chief Paul Oliveira said. “We must acknowledge the danger that the men and women of this department face on a daily basis in order to take these guns off the streets. I’m very proud of them.”

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