New Bedford Man Arrested for Allegedly Possessing Stolen Gun

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man was arrested and charged after police say he was found in possession of a stolen gun during an argument on the street in the city’s Near North End.

New Bedford Police said patrol units were dispatched to the area of Beetle Street and Belleville Avenue at about 6 a.m. on Sunday, June 2 to respond to a disturbance involving a firearm. Officer David Barthelmy spotted a vehicle matching the suspect description at the Coggeshall Street intersection, and he stopped the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Iussufi Vieira-Jau, 28, of New Bedford.

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Police said the investigation revealed Vieira-Jau had been involved in an argument on Beetle Street with other individuals known to him.

“During this argument, (Vieira-Jau) threatened violence, entered his vehicle, produced a firearm, and racked a round into its chamber,” police said in a release. “Other parties on the scene were able to successfully separate everyone involved. (Vieira-Jau) entered his vehicle and drove away. However, he returned to Beetle Street 10-15 minutes later, parked and remained seated in his car. At this time, the police were called.”

Police said a search of the vehicle led to the discovery that Vieira-Jau was in possession of a stolen Taurus handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.

Vieira-Jau was placed under arrest and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, threats to commit a crime, carrying a loaded firearm and ammunition with no license, and receiving stolen property.