Gun Arrests After Chase, Gun Found On Blarney Stone Roof

WORCESTER, MA—Two men are facing weapons charges after a vehicle stop ends with a chase, and a ladder to look for a gun.

Around 2:07 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, a Worcester officer was parked in a marked police cruiser at the corner of Park Avenue and Maywood Street. The officer spotted a gray Toyota Camry go by and was familiar with the registration plate as being that of Ton Tran, who had a limited license.

The officer pulled next to the car and knew it was Tran, signaling him to stop in front of 536 Park Ave. He approached the driver's side and asked Tran to get out.

The backup officer asked the passenger, later identified as Celin Petion, 23, Lovell Street, to exit the vehicle. Petion began to exit but was leaning to the right in an attempt to conceal something. At this point the backup officer yelled out that the male had a gun. Once out of the vehicle Petion began to run at full sprint away from car.

Officers chased Petion while others remained with Tran. While chasing after Petion, officers saw that he was holding his right arm towards the front waistband area. The foot chase continued behind buildings and over fences but eventually came to an end when Petion decided to give up in the area of 487 Park Avenue.

A search of Petion produced no weapon. At this time the area was searched for the weapon. Officers believed that Petion tossed the weapon it in an area when officers had briefly lost sight of him during the chase.

Officers realized that one of the places that they lost sight of Petion was near the Blarney Stone. The Blarney Stone has a low roof line and seemed like a feasible place to look, said police.

Officers called in the Worcester Fire Department and had a ladder truck respond. Officers were hoisted to the roof and immediately located the firearm. The weapon is a Raven 25 semi-automatic handgun.

Tran, 21, Florence Street, was placed under arrest and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle while Unlicensed, and Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm.

Petion was placed under arrest and charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm, and Resisting Arrest. Petion also had an existing outstanding arrest warrant in effect for motor vehicle infractions.

Both men were arraigned on Thursday at the Worcester County District house.