Michael R. Kent
Chief of Police
45 Center Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.bpd.org
For Immediate Release
Monday, Feb. 26, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Burlington Police Arrest Two, Seize Illegal Assault Rifle
BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent reports that the Burlington Police Department arrested two people and seized an illegal assault rifle after an investigation.
BRENDEN SHEILS, AGE 31, OF BURLINGTON has a lengthy criminal record and is known to police. On Thursday, Feb. 22, Burlington Police Department detectives received information that he was in possession of a firearm. SHEILS has no license to carry or FID card and his criminal record precludes him from owning firearms.
Detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for SHEILS’ residence on Dennis Drive in Burlington. Out of an abundance of caution, and given the likely presence of a high-powered firearm, the Burlington Police Department received mutual aid assistance from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) SWAT Team.
The search, with the aid of the SWAT Team, was conducted successfully on Friday morning. During the search of the residence, investigators discovered an AR-15 assault rifle with a loaded 30 round magazine inserted, two large bags of spent shell casings and numerous rifle parts.
SHEILS was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
- Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
- Firearm Violation with Two Prior Violent or Drug Crimes
“This case is the product of strong detective work by our Burlington Police Department investigators who received and verified information about a dangerous felon in possession of a deadly assault rifle,” Chief Kent said. “Thanks to the diligent and quick work of our officers, both the suspect and the weapon are out of circulation at this time.”
Also arrested at the scene was PRISCILLA PERRY, AGE 36, OF BURLINGTON, who was found to have numerous arrest warrants for shoplifting.
SHEILS is currently being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.