A Dorchester man with a criminal record dating back to 2007 is facing gun and crack cocaine charges after an alleged drug deal in Downtown Crossing, according to officials.
Jermaine Omoregie, 35, was arrested following a “brief struggle” with a police officer in a Lids Store — with both the suspect and cop falling to the ground through display stands.
Last Wednesday at around 11:10 a.m., Boston police officers were conducting surveillance of a known drug user near Tremont and Winter streets.
They allegedly spotted Omoregie and the person under surveillance enter the Orange Line MBTA station at 55 Temple Place and meet with another group. Officers believed a drug deal occurred during the meeting.
Then later that hour, a cop spotted Omoregie enter the Lids Store at 375 Washington St.
The officer entered the store and began to speak with Omoregie, who allegedly tried to move past the officer — at which point the cop told him he was under arrest. Omoregie allegedly tried to pull away, concealing his right arm in front of his body.
“After a brief struggle, the officer pushed Omoregie against the counter and then fell with him to the ground through display stands,” the Suffolk DA’s office wrote. “The officer pinned Omoregie to the ground and placed him into custody.”
Officers searched the area of the struggle and found a .22-cal revolver, loaded with six rounds, hidden within a black sock.
During Omoregie’s booking at Nashua Street jail, officers found a plastic container with white rock/powder believed to be crack cocaine.
The Suffolk DA’s office, Boston Police, and other government, civic and business groups are working together on an anti-crime initiative focused on the Downtown Crossing and Boston Common area of the city.
“Our partnerships in Downtown Crossing and all other areas of the city are crucial to maintaining safe, quality environments for our residents, workers and visitors,” Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “Drug activity, in this case resulting in an arrest involving a loaded firearm, is one of the factors that degrade a neighborhood’s quality of life, and it won’t be tolerated.”
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The suspect was charged last week with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without license, possession of ammunition without a firearm ID card, drug possession to distribute class B (crack cocaine), drug distribution class B (crack cocaine), firearm violation with three prior violent or drug related crimes, and resisting arrest.
The judge ordered Omoregie held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Tuesday.
