Police: Ladder truck required to retrieve gun where suspect tossed it in Uphams Corner

Boston Police report officers who captured a man they suspected of packing a gun had to call in a BFD ladder truck early Saturday to retrieve the firearm from the roof of the Strand Theatre on Columbia Road.

Police say officers on patrol in Uphams Corner around 12:30 a.m. spotted a guy:

Crossing the road and moving in such a way as if to suggest he was in possession of a weapon. Specifically, officers observed the individual clutching and grabbing at an object in his waist area. Moreover, the suspect was seen repeatedly looking over his shoulder and moving in a way that suggested increased levels of anxiety and unease. When officers pulled up next to the individual, the individual, upon seeing the officers, took off running. While trailing behind the suspect, officers observed the suspect scale a fence leading to the roof of the Boston Pizza Grill located at 535 Columbia Road.

The officers got up on the roof themselves and nabbed the suspect, but couldn't find a gun, police say:

Believing the suspect may have tossed the firearm onto the roof of the adjacent Strand Theatre, which is located at 543 Columbia Road, the Boston Fire Department was called to the scene to help officers gain access to the roof of the Strand. With the help of Ladder Truck #7, officers were able to gain access to the roof where they located and recovered a gray-colored firearm.

Michael Lopes, 26, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm on a public way, police say.

Innocent, etc.