Brookline Police Arrest Man, Seize a Cache of Guns [Updated]

[Update: Brookline Police Chief Daniel O'Leary provided some more details to the Board of Selectmen at their Tuesday meeting.

He reports that Richard Becker had 18 firearms registered to him, and police only recovered 16 of those at the scene, among the 36 weapons recovered. Some of these rifles are not legal in this state. Police also found silencers which he said are illegal in Massachusetts. Among the high-capacity clips officers found, a "banana" clip capable of storing upto 100 rounds. 

When police informed him that they knew about the guns, and invited him to accompany them during the search, O'Leary says he fell to the ground and requested medical attention. He is still at Beth Israel hospital. 

O'Leary also told the Selectmen that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) will investigate the case. He adds that, at this time, there is no indication Becker is involved in any terrorist or anarchist groups, and he made no threats to himself or to others.

According to O'Leary, they became aware of Becker initially because of outstanding warrants issued for missed jury duty in Quincy. They had attempted to speak with Becker last week, but he ran into his building before they could.

Police attribute the success of the arrest to the preparedness of a unit Brookline police have been training to handle situations involving dangerous warrants, or barricaded persons, among other cases.

“I was very pleased--'pleased' is kind of a shallow word--but it was very good to hear, when we sat around the conference room, that no one wanted to rush it. Time was on our side, didn’t know we were looking for him," O'Leary said. 

Boston Globe's YourTown Brookline also reports that Becker's firearm license expired in the late '90s, and there was no record he had gotten rid of the weapons.

Brookline's policy with seized weapons is to have them destroyed following the case. 9:30 p.m.]

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  arrested a man, and recovered his cache of weapons last night. Inside his home, police say, 36 guns--including 14 high-powered rifles--as well as ammunition capable of piercing bulletproof vests and several silencers. 

According to a press release the department issued today, Brookline Police received tips about a man at 181 Harvard Street, Richard Becker. Officers served a warrant last night, and arrested and charged Becker with "numerous" firearms violations. 

He is due in today. 

Below is the press release from the Brookline Police: 

Within the last 4 days the Brookline Police had developed information that a large cache of weapons was inside a residence located at 181 Harvard Street in Brookline. The Police Department applied for and received a search warrant for 181 Harvard Street. The warrant was issued by the Brookline District Court and executed at 5:00pm on Monday, June 11, 2012.

Richard Becker of Brookline was subsequently arrested and charged with numerous firearms violations.

Recovered were 36 firearms included 14 high powered weapons, several silencers and a large collection of high powered ammunition capable of penetrating bullet proof vests. 

Mr. Becker is due in Brookline District Court today Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

Charges, where mentioned, do not indicate conviction. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.