Trooper is commended for role in gang arrests.

BOYLSTON - A state police trooper from Boylston has received the Massachusetts State Police Superintendent's Commendation for his role in arresting Outlaws Motorcycle Club gang members on Interstate 290 in Worcester earlier this year.

Trooper Robert V. Choquette, a 14-year veteran of the state police, stopped a group of motorcycles and pickup trucks in a routine traffic stop on I-290 in May. He immediately called for backup, and then began frisking the eight gang members. He found one was wearing body armor, and most of them were armed with knives. In one of the pickup trucks, police found a loaded .357-magnum revolver, a loaded Glock pistol with a spare magazine, a steel garrote, and some Oxycodone tablets. None of the individuals was licensed to carry firearms, according to a press release from state police.

Police arrested Victor Vincente, 42, of Amherst, N.H., and charged him with illegal possession of a prescription drug, illegal possession of a steel garrote, wearing body armor in the commission of a felony, and possession of a handgun without a license.

Mr. Vincente's brother, Jose A. Vincente of Somerville, was charged with possessing the guns without a license. Police also arrested 26-year-old Frank E. Moran of Lowell and 27-year-old Leah C. Liouzis of Pennacook, N.H., and charged them with possession of a gun without a license. Ms. Liouzis also was charged with illegally possessing brass knuckles.

"For his keen observations and exceptional policing skills, Trooper Choquette is commended and awarded the Massachusetts State Police Superintendent's Commendation," the press release said.

Trooper Choquette, assigned to the Holden state police barracks, is a 1983 graduate of St. John's High School in Shrewsbury and received a master's degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England College.