Texting while driving leads to a gun arrest in New Bedford.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente says members of the Southeastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force were on routine patrol in the area of Sawyer St. and Ashley Blvd. when they observed a man texting while driving.

The detectives learned the Rhode Island registration for 2000 grey Nissan Maxima had been suspended.

The car refused to stop and begin circling the neighborhood, running stop signs along the way.

Vicente says the driver was seen tossing a handgun out the window during the chase.

Eventually the car came to a stop and the driver, identified as 23-year-old Kevin Rodrigues of New Bedford, was arrested without incident.

The gun, identified as loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun, was reported stolen in a New Bedford housebreak back in 2011.

Rodrigues, who doesn't have a license to carry firearms, was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning in New Bedford District Court on firearm, motor vehicle, and stolen property charges.

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