Woonsocket Man Charged with Felony Gun Possession after Scuffle with Cops

WOONSOCKET, RI—A 26-year-old Woonsocket man is facing charges of carrying a weapon while intoxicated, a felony, simple assault, obstruction and resisting arrest after he allegedly fought with police after a traffic stop that turned up an apparent stolen gun on Thursday night.

Webster D. Winston, 26, of 611 East School St., Woonsocket, was in the back seat of a car pulled over for speeding on Harris Avenue at around 10:51 p.m., according to a police report.

The officer who stopped the car reported seeing Winston make movements inside the car as if he were concealing something. Later, as more officers arrived to provide backup, another officer saw what appeared to be the handle of a revolver sticking out from under the front seat.

Police removed the gun from the car and it was loaded, police said. A check of the gun's registration showed it was reported stolen out of Louisiana.

Once out of the car, police said, Winston began struggling with police and resisted arrest.

Winston reportedly began to run, dragging an officer in the road who continued to hang on before another officer could close a gap of about 50 feet and help tackle Winston to the ground.

Police said Winston continued to struggle with police and was able to be handcuffed after an officer delivered two- to three-closed-fist strikes to his right shoulder area, according to the report.

During the scuffle, Winston reportedly made repeated motions toward his waist area, which led officers to believe he could be concealing a weapon.

Once in police custody, police found three .38 caliber rounds of ammunition on Winston.

Winston was not charged with possession of a stolen gun because of complications with the serial number.

Police said the serial number located under the barrel of the gun came back as stolen from Lousiana. The serial number and caliber matched but the manufacturer was inputted as WS for Webley and Scott, not SW, for Smith and Wesson, which was the make of the gun found under the seat.

Because the status of the originating stolen firearm report could not be confirmed, police were not able to immediately go ahead with the stolen gun charge.

All told, police seized nine rounds of ammunition—six in the gun, three on Winston's person.

Webster was arraigned in Sixth Division District Court in Providence on March 29 and later released on cash bail. He is due to return to court on June 1 for a prearraignment disposition conference.