CHELSEA — A Lynn man was arrested after prosecutors say he assaulted and flashed a handgun at an MBTA bus driver.
Hakeem Ricker, 20, was a passenger on the bus, which was driving through Revere on the way to Central Square in Lynn, last Friday night. The trouble started when he took photos and videos of a female passenger without her permission, according to Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office.
The woman reportedly told Ricker to stop and delete the images, then moved to the front of the bus to get away from him. He then followed her to the front of the bus, where the driver witnessed the harassment and intervened on the woman’s behalf, said the DA’s office. He pulled over in the area of Squire Road, reported the incident, and requested assistance.
Ricker threatened the driver, struck his hat, threw a water bottle at his face, and raised his shirt above his waistband, revealing the handle of a firearm, and fled the scene through a Revere movie theater, said the DA’s office.
The firearm was located by police K-9 beneath gravel underneath a bush. It was secured, seized, and found to be a 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a defaced brand and serial number, according to Conley’s office. It was loaded with several rounds of ammunition.
Ricker was arraigned in Chelsea District Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and threats to commit a crime.
Judge Randy Chapman set bail at $25,000 cash and, at the request of Assistant District Attorney Kevin Bergin, ordered Ricker to stay away from all witnesses in the case and revoked his open bail on an unrelated case charging assault with a dangerous weapon. Ricker is due back in court on Nov. 29.
