Suspect With Assault Rifle and Two Handguns Arrested During Traffic Stop in Mattapan

At 12:29 AM, on Monday, November 18th, 2024, Officers assigned to District B-3 (Mattapan) conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Blue Hill Ave. & Mattapan St., Mattapan, resulting in multiple firearms and drugs being recovered, as well as the arrest of 38-year-old Jeffrey Salvant, of Mattapan, for firearm and drug related offenses.

Officers were on patrol in the area of American Legion Hwy. and Blue Hill Ave. when their attention was drawn to a vehicle traveling at a very high rate of speed on Blue Hill Ave. towards Talbot Ave. Officers redirected their cruiser and were able to catch up to the speeding vehicle and attempt to conduct a traffic stop. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens to initiate the stop, but the vehicle continued to travel approximately a half mile before it finally stopped for Officers.

After the vehicle came to a complete stop near the intersection of Blue Hill Ave. & Mattapan St., Officers approached the vehicle and observed the operator, later identified as Jeffrey Salvant, with his eyes wide open and his hands up in the air. Officers informed Salavant the reason for the traffic stop and during their interaction, Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol emanating from the inside of the vehicle. Officers also observed two female passengers within the vehicle and opened alcoholic beverage containers.

As Officers continued their interaction with Salvant, they observed him display characteristics of a person under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, as well as characteristics of a person armed with a firearm or weapon. Officers continued their investigation of Salvant and his vehicle and determined that a pat-frisk of his person and vehicle was necessary.

During their frisk, Officers removed the knife from Salvant's pants that was determined to be an illegal spring-loaded double-edged switchblade. Officers continued their frisk and recovered two (2) loaded firearms inside Salvant's jacket. Officers made notifications that a firearm was present and all occupants of the vehicle were placed into handcuffs for the safety of all present. After Salvant was placed in custody, Officers recovered a plastic bag of suspected Cocaine inside his right pant pocket.

Officers conducted a search of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and while searching the back left side of the vehicle, they observed a black range bag, specifically manufactured for the purpose of carrying a rifle. Officers unzipped the bag and observed what they knew to be the upper receiver to an AR style firearm.

Upon further inspection this firearm was determined to be a "privately made firearm" which was a silver and black AR style firearm with a chrome lower receiver and a buffer-tube extension, without a stock. It also had a vertical fore-grip and optic affixed to the hand guard. The barrel length was observed to be under sixteen (16) inches, and the firearm had a black magazine inserted which was wrapped in black electrical tape. The pistol grip was also wrapped in black electrical tape. The firearm had zero (0) rounds in the chamber and the inserted magazine was loaded with thirty (30) rounds of .300 black out ammunition.

The first firearm located in Salvant's jacket was determined to be a Polymer 80 style, semi-automatic pistol, with a black slide and green handle, with a black magazine capable of holding 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The magazine contained nine (9) live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 0 rounds in the chamber. There were no serial numbers or identification markings on this firearm.

The second firearm found in Salvant's jacket was determined to be a Jimenez Arms .380, semi-automatic pistol, with a black slide and silver handle, which also had black electrical tape wrapped around the handle. The magazine contained six (6) live rounds of .380 ammunition and 0 rounds in the chamber.

Jeffrey Salvant was arrested and is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court for the charges of Carrying a Firearm Without a License (3 Counts), Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License (3 Counts), Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Firearm Violation With One Prior Violent and/or Drug Crime, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon (Switchblade), and Possession of a Class B Substance (Cocaine).

Additionally, Jeffrey Savant was issued a Mass Uniform Citation for Traveling a Speed Greater than Reasonable, Failure to Stop at a Red Light, Operating a Motor Vehicle With an Open Container, and Driving Under the Influence of Liquor.