Peabody Man Arrested on Gun Charge in NH

By Tony Schinella

A Peabody man being treated at Concord Hospital in New Hampshire was arrested earlier this month on a gun charge.

Anthony T. Rocco, 32, of Peabody, was arrested at 2:10 p.m. on March 4, and charged with carrying a loaded weapon without a license.

According to a Concord Police arrest report, a sergeant and two officers were called to Concord Hospital for a “suspicious person who was claiming that they were a police officer” out of the Lawrence Police Department in Massachusetts. The man reportedly had a badge and a firearm, according to a tipster.

The reporting officer made contact with the suspect, Rocco, who was waiting in an exam room to be treated. Rocco reportedly revealed to police that he had a loaded handgun and consented to be searched. He reportedly told police he was an auxiliary police officer in Lawrence, which was later confirmed. 

However, the sergeant reported that officials in Lawrence stated “that Rocco is not qualified to carry a firearm,” was not a full-time officer, and the department didn’t issue firearms to auxiliary officers, according to the arrest report.

Rocco allegedly told the reporting officer that he didn’t have a conceal carry permit in New Hampshire or Massachusetts. However, when police first encountered him, he allegedly had the firearm, a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, “concealed under his jacket.” It was loaded with one round in the chamber, seven-rounds in the magazine, and a separate six-round magazine in a holster, the officer alleged.

The weapon was taken into custody and Rocco was treated by hospital staffers and then, discharged into the custody of police where he was charged for not having a permit.

Rocco was released on $1,500 personal recognizance bail and is due in court on April 14.

Editor’s note: The following story was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.