Officers Recover a Firearm After a Traffic Stop of a Moped

At about 2:20 AM, on Friday, August 17, 2024, officers assigned to District B-2 (Roxbury) arrested Yanni Julien, 30, of Randolph, on firearm related charges.

Officers were on patrol in the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Columbia Road to canvass the area for a possible suspect in a shooting incident that occurred at 397 Geneva Avenue. Boston Police Operations provided officers with a description of the stolen moped and a potential suspect.

Officers observed two mopeds stopped at the red light at the intersection. Officers activated their marked cruiser's emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. One of the mopeds made an illegal U-turn and fled the area, while the other moped stopped for officers.

Officers immediately conducted a pat frisk of the suspect, and immediately felt the presence of a firearm inside a fanny bag being worn across the suspect's chest. The suspect attempted to flee from officers, but was quickly apprehended. The firearm was later determined to be a Taurus 62S with one round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine.

Julien was placed under arrest and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Unregistered Motor Vehicle. He is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.