Cops investigating gang activity in West Roxbury arrest man with gun after struggle

Boston Police report arresting an alleged gun-toting gang member after a struggle on Centre Street in West Roxbury yesterday afternoon.

Police say gang-unit officers conducting "an active and ongoing investigation" along Centre Street across from the Walgreens around 1:45 p.m. spotted a man "known to them" - and known to be carrying a loaded gun. They stopped him and started to do a pat frisk:

A violent struggle ensued as the suspect made numerous attempts to reach towards the waistband area of his pants. As they fought to gain control of the combative suspect, an officer indicated that he could feel a firearm in the suspect’s pants. With the assistance of an officer working a paid detail nearby who ran over to help, the suspect was eventually placed in custody and a loaded .380 caliber Cobra Enterprises CA-380 handgun was safely recovered.

John Silva, 23, of West Roxbury, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Innocent, etc.