Tewksbury PD: Dracut Man Had Unlicensed Semi-Automatic Rifle In Truck

TEWKSBURY, MA — A Dracut man faces intoxicated driving and weapons charges after he was pulled over by Tewksbury police on Saturday and a semi-automatic rifle was found, the department has announced.

Ronald Charette, 66, has been charged with carrying a firearm without a license, operating under the influence of liquor, improper storage of a firearm and possession of a large capacity magazine, according to the Tewksbury PD.

Authorities said Charette was due to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Monday.

According to police reports, at approximately 3:35 p.m. Saturday, the Tewksbury PD received a call about a possibly intoxicated man driving a black Ford F350 pickup truck in the area of 1788 Main St.

At the scene, Charette and his vehicle were located in a parking lot, police said. Officers conducted an on-scene investigation and took Charette into custody on operating under the influence charges, the Tewksbury PD said.

The department said its officers then conducted an inventory check of Charette's vehicle, where they discovered the unsecured semi-automatic rifle in the back seat.

Officers secured the weapon and filed additional charges against Charette, the Tewksbury PD said.