WESTBOROUGH – A Worcester man is facing charges after Westborough police allegedly found a sword in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Eliezer Rosario Castillo, 18, has been charged with two counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and speeding.
On Jan. 11 at 9:55 p.m., a Westborough officer was on patrol on Turnpike Road when the he saw a vehicle driving toward his location at 70 miles per hour. The speed limit is 50 mph.
The officer activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop in Speedway Plaza parking lot.
Rosario Castillo, who reportedly admitted to speeding, told police that he was driving to Chick-Fil-A to pick up his friends from work, according to court documents filed in Westborough District Court.
As the officers were walking to their cruisers, one officer allegedly shined his light into the rear of the vehicle and saw a light brown handle between the driver’s seat and center console. According to court documents, when officers asked Rosario Castillo what the item was, he told them it was a sword.
He allegedly told officers that the sword had been at his old house, and when he moved, the sword was placed in his vehicle. Rosario Castillo told police he forgot it was there.
When he was frisked for further weapons, an officer found a “dagger-type” knife that had a blade longer than two inches.
“During our conversation, he admitted the sword was ‘in case we need to protect ourselves’ and when asked about the knife in his pocket, he stated ‘that little one is just to protect myself,’” police wrote in court documents.
Officers reportedly found an open beer bottle.
He was arraigned in Westborough District Court on Jan. 12 where a bail of $2,000 surety bond or $200 cash was set.
