BOSTON, June 14, 2012—The Brighton man who led State Police on a multi-city chase yesterday evening was wanted for his role in the illegal sale of an unregistered handgun in Revere, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

LEROY MARTIN (D.O.B. 9/27/77) was arraigned in Chelsea District Court today on a total of 10 offenses including unlawful possession of a firearm, improper sale of a firearm, unlicensed sale of ammunition, and being a Level III armed career criminal. The latter charge is based on Martin’s prior convictions, including a 2008 gun and assault conviction for which he served four years in prison and is currently on probation.

Martin is also charged with operating a motor vehicle without a license, failing to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and civil motor vehicle infractions.

Assistant District Attorney Christopher Henry recommended that Martin be held on $500,000 cash bail. Judge James Wexler imposed $100,000 cash bail but at Henry’s request ordered that Martin wear a GPS monitoring device if he posts that amount.

Henry told the court that a task force of State, Revere, and Lynn police, along with Essex County Sheriff’s employees and special agents of the FBI, were monitoring what they expected would be an illegal handgun transaction yesterday afternoon as part of an ongoing joint investigation.

Evidence suggested that the transaction would involve a seller who identified himself as “Hitman” and would take place in the parking lot of the Target department store in Revere. Shortly after 4:30, investigators watched as Martin’s grey Oldmobile Alero pulled into the store’s parking lot and an individual known to them got inside.  After parking for a short time, that second individual exited the car, which investigators began to follow.

State Police attempted to pull the Alero over in the area of Bell Circle, but Martin allegedly sped along Route 1 southbound at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. During the course of the pursuit, investigators received word that Martin had allegedly sold the second party a loaded .357 caliber revolver for $750.

The chase continued into Cambridge and Boston, where Martin is believed to have collided with another vehicle and attempted to escape on the Red Line of the MBTA. He was ultimately apprehended by State Police at Kendall station.

Martin was represented today by attorney Marcy Levington. He will return to Chelsea court on July 9 and could face additional charges in other jurisdictions as a result of the chase.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.