A routine traffic stop for speeding in Somerville resulted in a significant recovery of guns.
Eight handguns were recovered during the traffic stop Sunday afternoon on Thurston Street, police said. Three men were arrested.
The incident started about 4 p.m. Sunday when Officer Robert Hickey noticed a BMW speeding along Medford Street. As the car increased its speed, Hickey pulled it over.
The driver, Sherwood Gustave, 37, of Mattapan, was immediately arrested for driving with a suspended license.
As Hickey waited for back-up, he noticed an empty pistol holster in the back seat.
Officers removed two passengers from the car and a search led to the recovery of the guns, including 40-caliber, high capacity Glock 23 and a .357-caliber Magnum. Six of the guns were fully loaded, police said. Police have also confirmed that two of the guns were stolen.
“Getting eight guns off our streets makes our community a little safer,” said Chief Thomas Pasquarello.
The passengers, Anthony Paulino, 18, of Somerville, and Gunter Vital, 47, of Cambridge were charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and other charges.
Gustave was also charged with the gun crimes as well as speeding.
