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 January 11 at 9:55 p.m., a Westborough officer was patrolling Turnpike Road when he saw a vehicle heading 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 the parking lot of Speedway Plaza.
Rosario Castillo, who allegedly admitted to speeding, told police she was driving to Chick-Fil-A to pick up friends from work, according to court documents filed in Westborough District Court.
As the officers were walking toward their patrol cars, an officer allegedly shined his light on the rear of the vehicle and saw a light brown handle between the driver’s seat and the center console. According to court documents, when the agents asked Rosario Castillo what it was, she told them it was a sword.
He allegedly told officers that the sword had been in his old house, and when he moved out, the sword was placed in his vehicle. Rosario Castillo told police that she forgot she was there.
When patted down for more weapons, an officer found a “dagger-type” knife that had a blade longer than two inches.
“During our conversation, he admitted that the sword was ‘in case we need to protect ourselves,’ and when asked about the knife in his pocket, he said ‘that little one is just to protect me,’” police wrote in court documents.
Officers reportedly found an open beer bottle.
He was arraigned in Westborough District Court on January 12, where bail was set at $2,000 or $200 cash.