Convicted Criminal Arrested for Gun Possession, Threat, Police Say

Philadelphia Police arrested a Roxborough resident with a criminal record Nov. 7 for illegal possession of a firearm following an incident earlier this month.

Officer Christine O'Brien said police arrested Matthew Loiseau, 21, after he threatened a woman in Roxborough, wielding a gun in public.

According to police records, Loiseau approached a woman Nov. 4 before 6 p.m. at 6400 Ridge Ave. The woman told police Loiseau pointed a gun at her and asked where her boyfriend was.

He fled the scene, she told police.

The woman filed a police report and officers from the 39th District arrested Loiseau at his home on 200 Greenough St. Nov. 7.

O'Brien said Loiseau has a criminal record, making it illegal for him to be in possession of a weapon. He failed to have a license to possess the firearm, she said.

In August 2012, Loiseau pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking and simple assault. He was sentenced to five years probation, according to court records. The gun possession violated his probation.

Loiseau was arraigned Nov. 8 and charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, carrying firearms in public, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, terroristic threats with intention to terrorize another, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person.

Bail was initially set at $75,000 but reduced to $40,000 Nov. 26, according to court records. 

Louiseau remains in police custody and has a preliminary hearing Jan. 17, 2013.