UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Utica Police arrested a man and two juveniles on weapons charges following a traffic stop on James Street in the city.
Officers say they conducted a vehicle stop on James Street near the intersection with Oneida Street. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noticed that the windows were allegedly extremely tinted and they could not look into the vehicle. Upon having the three occupants roll their windows down, police say they noticed that the parties were allegedly uncommonly nervous.
They also noticed the passenger sitting in the rear of the vehicle — 18-year-old Anthony Nelson of Utica — attempt to kick a book bag underneath the seat in front of him.
Based on those factors, among others, all three passengers were ordered to exit the vehicle. While conducting a search of the passenger sitting in the front seat — a 17-year-old juvenile male — officers say they located a loaded .40 caliber handgun on his person.
All three occupants were subsequently detained after the search, and a further search of the vehicle was undertaken. Further investigation of the bag Nelson was attempting to conceal revealed another .22 caliber handgun, as well as a large quantity of narcotics.
All three occupants were then transported to the Utica Police Department. Nelson and the juvenile were charged with:
- second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a violent felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a felony
The driver was charged with New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. Police say that pending testing of the substances in the bag, Nelson could also be charged with narcotics charges as well.
