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Dorchester man arrested on gun and drug charges after crashing into preschool, police say
Ronnie Qualls was arrested on several gun and drug charges Wednesday after police said he crashed a vehicle into the Ashmont Nursery School in Dorchester.
A Dorchester man was arrested Wednesday night after crashing his vehicle into a preschool, Boston police said.
Ronnie Qualls, 53, was taken into custody at approximately 8:36 p.m. on multiple vehicle violations, firearm charges, and drug-related offenses, according to a statement from police.
Officers were patrolling Washington Street when they saw a car crash into the Ashmont Nursery School, damaging both the building and the vehicle, police said.
“A dislodged water pipe was spraying water throughout the interior of the building,” the statement said. Officers also found witnesses and victims who were inside the building, none of whom sustained injuries, according to police.
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When officers approached the vehicle, Qualls was still inside, police said. Qualls exhibited “unusual behavior” as officers tried to assist him and also tried to divert the officers’ attention, according to the statement.
Despite appearing to be suffering from injuries, Qualls backed away from the vehicle, prompting the officers to initiate an investigation, police said.
After searching the vehicle, officers found a semi-automatic pistol, loaded with six rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber, according to police.
Officers also found four plastic bags from Qualls’ jacket, which they believed to contain crack cocaine and cocaine, the statement said. A records check later revealed that Qualls did not have a valid driver’s license, police said.
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Qualls was transported to a local hospital for injuries not considered life threatening. He is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court, according to police.
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