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Leicester Man Held Without Bail After Manhunt, Weapons Seizure

LEICESTER (CBS) -- A man who led police on a day-long manhunt that ended in the largest weapons seizure in the Leicester department's history is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Thursday.

Dean Largesse, 32, of Leicester, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in East Brookfield District Court Monday. He's charged with carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of building, improperly storing a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Police say they recovered an arsenal of assault weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and bulletproof vests from Largesse Saturday in what State Police Major Francis Leahy called a huge win for public safety. They also say that he stole a rowboat, fired a shot, and fled through the forest in order to elude officers and K-9 units searching for him.

But a friend of Largesse says the whole thing is a big misunderstanding.

"He's not a Rambo killer-type guy at all," said Ryan Whitney, who spoke to WBZ-TV outside of court. "He just likes the woods and likes his firearms, that's it. In a good way."

The hunt began after Worcester police asked Leicester officers to apprehend Largesse in an open domestic violence case that took place in Worcester.

Police arrived at Largesse's Main Street home to find that he had left 15 minutes before, fleeing into the woods. A loaded AR-15 rifle and backpack containing extra ammo were recovered.

Leicester Rifle
Leicester Police found a loaded assault rifle while searching for a suspect. (Image Credit: Leicester Police Department)

Police and K-9 units searched for Largesse for several hours in the early morning, eventually concluding that he had fled the area.

Two more guns, more ammunition, and a bulletproof vest were found in search of Largesse's home.

Leicester Police Dean Largesse guns
Two additional firearms, more ammunition, high capacity magazines, and a bulletproof vest which police found at Largesse's home. (Photo credit Leicester Police Department)

He was eventually taken into custody without incident Saturday night in Royalston, 35 miles from where the manhunt began, by the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Unit. Officers say they found him in another bulletproof vest, and recovered two more guns from him.

"This is really a law enforcement officer's worst nightmare," Leicester police chief James Hurley told WBZ. "I can tell you that from the time this incident happened I did not sleep. I was concerned for myself, my fellow officers and the members of our community."

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