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The Sutton Police Department in Massachusetts made a shocking discovery in the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn on February 20, seizing drugs and a rocket launcher during the arrest of a man.
According to the Sutton Police Department, a detective conducting surveillance on a suspicious vehicle in the hotel’s parking lot approached the driver and initially observed signs of illegal drug use.
Upon closer inspection, the detective spotted what turned out to be an M190 U.S. Army rocket launcher inside the vehicle.
“We’re going to put this post under the title, ‘You found what!?!” the department wrote in a Facebook post detailing the incident. “Mmmmhmmm, you read that correctly….a ROCKET LAUNCHER!”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was summoned to the scene to secure the rocket launcher, which was identified as a training model of the M72 light anti-tank weapon.
In a statement to the press, Detective Alex Sinni of the Sutton Police Department described his initial reaction upon discovering the rocket launcher: “My first concern after finding the M190 launcher under the backseat of the truck was for everybody’s safety.”
Sinni ensured that the launcher was unloaded and searched the vehicle thoroughly for any additional threats.
The detective also recounted the driver’s vague responses regarding the origin and purpose of the rocket launcher.
“I couldn’t really get a straight answer about it,” he stated.
The driver, identified as Harvey Johnson Jr. of Spencer, Massachusetts, now faces charges of possession of a Class B substance (crack cocaine) and possession of an incendiary device.
Det. Sinni elaborated on the circumstances leading to Johnson’s arrest, explaining that the decision to search the vehicle was prompted by the driver’s prolonged presence in the parking lot.
“It was a bit weird that the driver was parked to the side of the hotel away from the rooms for so long and hadn’t gone inside the main hotel entrance,” Sinni remarked.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Sinni observed drug paraphernalia, prompting him and another officer to conduct a thorough search.
The rocket launcher, concealed among clothing beneath the backseat, was discovered during the search.
Following protocol, the Sutton Police Department contacted the ATF for assistance in handling the rocket launcher, which was subsequently taken into federal custody.
In a follow-up Facebook post, the police department provided additional details of the incident.
Harvey Johnson Jr. remains in custody, pending further legal proceedings. The investigation into the origins and intended use of the rocket launcher is ongoing.
Authorities also reminded the public that all individuals mentioned in connection with this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sutton is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts.
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