Marion Police: Wareham Man Found Passed Out With Guns and Cocaine

MARION (WBSM) — A Wareham man was arrested by Marion Police on firearm, drug and OUI charges Saturday afternoon.

Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli said that on October 4 at about 3:34 p.m., Officer Patrick Adams responded to the Cumberland Farms gas station on Wareham Road for a report of a man passed out in a vehicle.

Officer Finds Man Unresponsive at Gas Station

Nighelli said that Officer Adams found the man, identified as Brian M. Ewan, 67, of Wareham, unresponsive in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with the key in the ignition and several open alcohol containers in view.

Struggle Leads to Gun Seizure

Detective Scott Smith, who responded to assist with the investigation, “noticed a bulge on Ewan’s waistband consistent with a firearm,” Nighelli said. When Detective Smith attempted to search Ewan, he resisted, leading to a struggle.

During the struggle, Smith was able to take control of a Taurus G3C 9mm handgun that Ewan had been reportedly hiding in a holster in his waistband. Ewan was placed in cuffs, while a further search turned up loose .22-caliber bullets on Ewan’s person and a knotted baggie of cocaine.

Illegal Firearm Recovered From Vehicle

Nighelli said Officer Mark Norman then found a sawed-off Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun while searching Ewan’s vehicle.

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Charges Filed Against Brian Ewan

Ewan was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm without an FID card (subsequent offense), possession of ammunition with an FID card (subsequent offense), carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large-capacity feeding device, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, operating under the influence of liquor, possession of a Class B drug, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and having no inspection sticker.

Nighelli said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected to be filed.

Ewan was scheduled to be arraigned today in Wareham District Court.

Chief Credits Quick Response

"This was a potentially dangerous situation that was brought under control without any injuries thanks to Detective Smith's observation skills and the professionalism of our officers," Nighelli said. "I want to credit all the responding officers who helped remove two illegal firearms from our community."