By Tiffany Williams –
AUBURN, Mass — A 24-year-old man who attempted to flee police in Auburn, Massachusetts by diving into Stoneville Pond was arrested Thursday morning after officers discovered a loaded firearm in the trunk of the car he had been riding in, authorities said.
The incident began around 10:30 a.m. on August 28 when Auburn Police Officers Andrew Markvenas and Jedadiah Henry were conducting traffic enforcement near Oxford Street North and Pinehurst Avenue. The officers stopped to check on a BMW sedan that was halted in traffic and determined that the driver had a suspended license. Police said the passenger, identified as Jaheim Watters of Worcester, could not assume control of the vehicle because he appeared to be impaired.
As the investigation continued, Watters ran from the officers toward Stoneville Pond and dove into the water. Police said he quickly began to struggle and had to be rescued. Officers Jason Brooks and Markvenas used the department’s “Manny Tube,” donated in memory of late Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia, to keep Watters afloat until Auburn firefighters arrived and pulled him to safety.
Meanwhile, Officer Derek Courchaine and Detective Jordan Ryan remained with the BMW and conducted a search. In the trunk, they located a loaded 9mm Glock handgun with a 15-round magazine. Investigators tied the weapon to Watters, who does not have a license to carry a firearm in Massachusetts.
Watters was treated by medical personnel and later arraigned in Worcester District Court. He is charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of a large capacity firearm, and possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance.
He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for September 5.