Police: Lowell man had stolen gun at motel

tewksbury » Police were called to the Motel 6 in Tewksbury on Sunday for the second time over the weekend after determining a 33-year-old Lowell man was inside a motel room with a stolen firearm.

The North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

SWAT team was called to assist at the scene after police learned Michael Picardi was in possession of the weapon, according to a Picardi Tewksbury Police Department press release.

With the room secured by the NEMLEC SWAT unit, Picardi taken into custody without incident, police said.

The loaded firearm was located inside the hotel room, according to police.

Picardi, of 31 Merrill St., Lowell, was charged with unlicensed possession of a loaded firearm and stealing a firearm. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court today.

Picardi’s arrest is the second arrest this weekend at the Motel 6 at 95 Main St. in Tewksbury. On Saturday morning, police arrested 38-year-old Joseph Kitchen, of Dracut, who was wanted on a warrant out of Lowell for armed robbery with a firearm and home invasion, police said.

Kitchen was also charged with possession of a Class E substance after he was allegedly found with Xanax pills at the time of his arwas rest.

After both arrests, the Tewksbury Police Department thanked Motel 6 staff for the use of the motel’s surveillance system.

“TPD is thankful for the continued cooperation from the Motel 6 staff and the use of their surveillance system to help us keep their motel and our community safe,” police said in Sunday’s release.