UTICA — A 30-year-old Utica man was arrested on multiple weapons charges following an investigation that began when ShotSpotter technology detected more than 15 gunshots in the city last month.
Gil Cepeda was taken into custody June 30 after investigators spotted him and conducted a vehicle stop with assistance from the Utica Police Crime Prevention Unit and the Utica Police and Oneida County Sheriff’s Warrants Units.
Police units were initially dispatched to the 1500 block of Steuben Street on June 4 after the ShotSpotter notification.
Officers found spent casings at the scene and assigned the investigation to members of the GIVE Unit.
Investigators determined the suspect exited an establishment and fired at individuals inside a vehicle.
During an inventory search of Cepeda’s vehicle, police recovered a loaded 9mm ghost gun, six additional magazines including one 50-round drum-style magazine, and three other weapons.
Cepeda was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for high capacity magazine and prior conviction, criminal possession of a firearm, and aggravated unlicensed operation.
Police said additional charges will likely follow in relation to the shots fired investigation.
