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Passenger’s 911 text leads to Auburn bus arrest

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) Thu at 11:09 AM - Filed in News - #Auburn  #crime  #Auburn Police Department  #W.R.T.A.t  - 1,188 views


    Auburn Police Department photos (Facebook)

    AUBURN — A Worcester man was arrested after a passenger on a Worcester Regional Transit Authority bus reported seeing what appeared to be a firearm being handled while the bus traveled through Auburn, according to police.

    The incident occurred Friday, May 29th, when a passenger discreetly texted 911 after noticing a man across from them allegedly handling what appeared to be a gun and loading a magazine while riding the bus. The passenger also believed the individual appeared heavily intoxicated, the Auburn Police Department said in a social media release on Wednesday.

    Auburn officers stopped the bus, then investigated the situation and secured the individual involved.

    Police identified the man as Donald Wessman, 50, of Worcester. During the investigation, officers determined the weapon was a realistic-looking air-powered BB gun rather than a gun.

    Authorities said the reporting passenger had no way of knowing the weapon was a BB gun and that its appearance would reasonably alarm other riders.

    Police emphasized that the incident illustrates the importance of the “See Something, Say Something” principle, noting that members of the public are not expected to investigate suspicious activity themselves but should report concerns to law enforcement.

    Wessman was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct on a public conveyance and disturbing the peace, subsequent offense.

    Auburn police credited the passenger’s quick action with allowing officers to safely assess the situation and determine the nature of the weapon. The department encouraged residents to trust their instincts and report suspicious behavior, saying officers would rather investigate a situation that proves harmless than miss one that poses a genuine threat.

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