Salem Home Invasion Warrant Leads To Cocaine Bust: Patch PM

SALEM, MA — It's Tuesday, April 20. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Framingham police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who flashed two women in the Nobscot Reservation Monday.
• A Somerville rideshare driver surrendered to police following a report of an indecent assault.
• Police recovered close to 450 grams of cocaine and more than $50,000 in cash while attempting to take a Salem man into custody on a home invasion warrant.

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Statewide Story

Several Democrats in the Legislature filed a bill Tuesday (HD 4192) that would prohibit Massachusetts companies such as Smith & Wesson, headquartered in Springfield, from manufacturing weapons and devices covered under an existing ban on the purchase of assault weapons in the state.

The ban would not apply to weapons made in Massachusetts for sale to law enforcement, the military or foreign governments.

Supporters, including the Stop Handgun Violence organization, say three other states -- California, New York and New Jersey -- have a ban on the manufacturing of assault weapons. The legislation would not affect handguns, which are used in a significant majority of gun violence incidents, or any other weapons that are permitted for purchase in Massachusetts.

Read the full story.

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Tuesday's Other Top Stories

Airport defends tone-deaf tweet: A spokesperson for Massport defended a since-deleted Earth Day post on Logan Airport's Twitter account that suggested driving to the airport was environmentally friendly. "Did a parking garage write this?" one Twitter user wrote in reply. Despite criticism from environmental groups — the Massachusetts Sierra Club called the Logan Airport Earth Day tweet "ridiculous greenwashing" — spokeswoman Jennifer Mehigan argued driving and parking at the airport means two car trips, while having someone drive you and then pick you up after the return trip means four.

Logan Airport is serviced by several MBTA bus lines and the Silver Line, as well as the Logan Express bus service.

Framingham flasher: Police say two women were hiking in the Nobscot Reservation Monday when they were approached by a man between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. The man proceeded to flash the women. The suspected flasher is described as a Black man between the ages of 18 and 23 and standing approximately 5-foot-9. Police said the man has a medium build and spiky hair, but he did not have facial hair. He was seen wearing a dark tee-shirt, black shorts, white socks and sandals. Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to contact Framingham police at 508-872-1212.

Because they're happy: MelroseWakefield Hospital has been announcing CODE HAPPY for one year this week, their designation for when someone recovering from COVID-19 gets discharged. The hospital plays Pharrell Williams' upbeat hit "Happy" to recognize the moment, allowing everyone in the hospital to enjoy refreshing moments of levity and joy. There have been nearly 800 such celebrations in the past year.

Rideshare driver accused of indecent assault: A Somerville rideshare driver has been arrested following a report of an indecent assault. Sonpreet Singh, 25 of Somerville, surrendered himself at Boston police on Sunday. He was charged with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.

Learn more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts at Patch's information hub.

Today's Top North Shore Story

Forgot to tell them it's 420: Police recovered close to 450 grams of cocaine and more than $50,000 in cash while attempting to take a Salem man into custody on a home invasion warrant Wednesday night. State Police said the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and Salem police officers encountered an angry mob of bystanders as they attempted to take Kenneth Gonzalez, 48, into custody, and that he tried to flee carrying a knife and "a large amount of cocaine." (Massachusetts State Police photo).

They Said It

"It's about time we pull out of Afghanistan."

• Waltham native and retired Army Captain Brien Durkee on the Biden administration's plan to end the war in Afghanistan.

In Case You Missed It

REAL ID 6-month warning: There are less than six months to go before enforcement of REAL ID requirements for certain things like domestic air travel and getting into federal buildings goes into effect. What that means is relatively simple: Beginning Oct. 1, your standard license will no longer be enough to get you on a domestic flight or into federal buildings.

By The Numbers

900: The number of registered motorcycles in Beverly. Mayor Mike Cahill issued a proclamation last week calling a "Motorcycle Awareness Period" from March 21 through April 30, in honor of Mark Ofiesh, the longtime owner of Gloria Food Stores killed in a bike crash last November.