Gun Found in Safe in Car of Armed Robbery Suspect

Police found the handgun they were looking for following an armed robbery at Bellevue Pond Monday. But it took a search warrant for the car of the robbery suspect, police said.

A black pistol was found in a safe in the trunk of the car driven by William Gaunt, 20, of 38 Pembroke St. on Monday afternoon when he was arrested by Medford Police, according to a statement from police Lt. Paul Covino.

Police had to obtain a search warrant before opening the safe, Covino said.

Gaunt allegedly robbed someone he knew near Bellevue Pond in Middlesex Fells using a black handgun, then led police on a brief pursuit after being located near Haines Square on Monday, police said.

Police initially thought Gaunt may have thrown the gun from the car during pursuit, but Police dogs searched the area of the chase Monday and were unable to located the gun, Covino said.

After being initially called to the Fells, Gaunt was identified to police as the suspect in the robbery, and his vehicle was described as a small green car, police said.

He was spotted by Medford Police in Haines Square shortly after, and momentarily was stopped on Grant Avenue near Central Avenue. But Gaunt tried to flee when police Det. David Rooney got out of his cruiser and approached his car on foot, police said.

After a brief pursuit, Gaunt was caught and arrested near the I-93/Route 60 rotary north of Medford Square by Rooney, Officer Shawn Hughes, and Sgt. Mike Fahey, Covino said.

He was intially charged with armed robbery and several motor vehicle infractions. He now faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.