Tewksbury Police Make Weapons Arrest, May Have Saved Life

, responding to a a report of a suicidal guest at , wound up taking the man into custody after finding two illegal weapons in his room.

Ryan Kindred, 25, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, firearm serial number defacement or removal, possession of ammunition and receiving stolen property valued in excess of $250.

According to information provided by Tewksbury Police, the incident began Friday morning just before noon, when officers were called to Motel 6, Room 123, for a report of a suicidal male. Kindred had reportedly told people close to him that he intended to harm himself.

When officers spoke to Kindred, they found him to be unsteady and confused and they noted an odor of alcohol on his breath.

In the course of the investigation, Kindred told officers he did not know if there were weapons in the room. However, officers spotted two handguns.

One turned out to be a Crossman BB gun, which police say is a precise replica of a handgun. The other, spotted under a mattress, turned out to be a genuine Smith and Wesson Walther .380 caliber handgun. According to the police report, there was one round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine of the gun.

Officers determined that the serial numbers of both weapons had been defaced and that Kindred had no license to possess the guns.

Also, during the course of their investigation, officers discovered several prescription drug bottles, some of which were empty. The medications appeared to be prescribed to Kindred. In addition, officers discovered notes that appeared to indicate Kindred intended to harm himself.

Kindred was placed under arrest and transported to Saints Hospital for psychological evaluation. He was later transported to Tewksbury Police Headquarters.

A gun history check indicated that the Smith and Wesson has been stolen in a house burglary in Billerica.

"The Tewksbury Police officers involved did an outstanding job taking a stolen firearm and a BB gun that could easily be recognized as a firearm off the street," said Tewksbury Police Chief Tim Sheehan. "An investigation is ensuing to determine if either of the two weapons discovered have been used in the commission of other crimes and to determine ownership of the defaced BB gun.

"Great police work resolved what could have been a disastrous conclusion to this incident."

Sex offender arrested

A known sex offender was taken into custody for failing to register with the Police Department. John Shattuck, 64, was arrested at , 450 Main St., and charged with failing to register.

Motor vehicle stop leads to arrest

A routine motor vehicle stop at led to an arrest on multiple motor vehicle charges. Scott Scibilla, 22, of 10 Cleghorn Lane, Tewksbury, was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration and an outstanding warrant.