During this past Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Wareham Police Department stepped up its enforcement of Massachusetts seat-belt laws. The department received a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety for extra patrols in the "Click it" or Ticket" campaign.

On Saturday, May 29, patrol officer George Dionne was assigned to one of the extra patrols when he pulled over a vehicle with an expired inspection sticker. As a result of that car stop, 33-year-old Wareham resident David Monteiro, of 26 Edgewater Drive Ext., was arrested and has been charged with multiple felonies.

Monteiro's driver's license was found to be suspended, and he had an outstanding default warrant issued by Fall River District Court for failure to appear on charges that included disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Inside the vehicle, Wareham officers located a 9 mm handgun with its serial numbers defaced and a small amount of illegal prescription drugs.

Patrol Officers Daniel Henderson and Paul Somers assisted in arresting Monteiro, who was held at the Plymouth County House of Correction over the weekend. He appeared in Wareham 4th District Court onTuesday, June 1.

Monteiro is charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Defacing a Firearm Serial Number, Possession of Ammunition, Possession of Class "C" Drugs (Seroquil and Xanax), and Operating a Motor Vehicle after Suspension (subsequent offense).