Lynn cops use driving violation to take gun off streets

LYNN – Lynn police say a loaded firearm was taken from the hands of a gang member during a traffic stop Wednesday while the department’s Special Response Team was standing by to assist.Vincent R. Valenti, 20, of 16 Fearless Ave., had a loaded .45 caliber handgun tucked into his waistband at the time of his arrest, police said.Eleven members of the SRT, a special weapons and tactical unit, were stationed outside Valenti’s home to carry out a search warrant Wednesday around 6 a.m. The Lynn Police Gang Unit said Valenti was previously convicted of illegal possession of firearms and believed he continued to store illegal weapons.The unit identified Valenti as an Avenue King Crip gang member.The SRT planned to storm the house believing there were five pit bulls inside. Before they moved in, officers on surveillance observed Valenti leave the home with a 20-year-old woman and get into a car with her, according to police.Following Valenti’s arrest, the SRT searched the home and found spent shell casings and a small quantity of unidentified drugs, police said. The dogs were inside the home but were all caged, police said.After Valenti got behind the wheel, a non-SRT officer followed the Nissan Maxima in an unmarked cruiser as he called for backup. Lt. William Sharpe and Sgt. Eugene Cusack soon arrived in a marked police car and signaled for the suspect’s vehicle to pull over on Essex Street near Baldwin Street, police said.Officers said they had prior knowledge that Valenti’s driver’s license had expired and he only had a learner’s permit. They said it was illegal for him to be driving without the company of a person who is over 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience. His female acquaintance was only 20 years old.When the officers pulled Valenti’s car over, they shouted for the couple to show their hands but said Valenti was slow to do so.Police eventually found the .45 caliber gun tucked into Valenti’s waistband with four bullets loaded inside. An officer said in a report he observed Valenti adjusting his pants when he originally left his house, making him suspicious and concerned for officers’ safety.Police said a stun gun was also found inside the glove compartment of the car. The weapon, ammunition, drugs and the car have all been seized by police.