By: Laura Soukkavong
Southbridge – On Feb. 25, with assistance from Millbury Police Department, Holden Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb squad, Southbridge Police Department was able to successfully execute a court-authorized search warrant in the area of Woodland Street.
After multiple concerns about the possible presence of firearms inside the residence, a motor vehicle stop was conducted near the property by officers to safely carry out the warrant. During the traffic stop, Kenneth Bachand, 46, of Southbridge, was placed under arrest without incident. Officers informed him about the warrant and transported him to the residence while investigators completed the search.
During the search of Bachand’s residence, officers seized a Glock 19 handgun with three loaded magazines, an AR-25 style rifle lacking a serial number and equipped with an 11.5-inch barrel, and a pump action shotgun. Also recovered were two 30-round magazines, a quantity of ammunition in various calibers (.223, 9mm, and 12-gauge), several grenade-style explosive devices that were secured by the State Police Explosive Unit, and a quantity of suspected MDMA.
(Investigators stated that several firearms were not stored in compliance with Massachusetts Law. After a records check, it was further indicated that Bachand did not hold a valid License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification (FID) card.
He was booked and later transported to the Dudley District Court for arraignment on charges of multiple firearms-related offenses, including possession of a firearm without a license (three counts), possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large-capacity firearm, possession of a large-capacity feeding devices (two counts), possession of a firearm without a serial number, improper storage if a firearm, and possession of an assault weapon.
Bachand is presumed innocent until proven guilty.