BENSALEM, PA — A traffic stop for a broken taillight led to the discovery of a handgun and the arrest of a man who fled from officers early Monday morning.
Bensalem Police conducted the traffic stop on Street Road near High Avenue at approximately 1:23 a.m. after observing a Jeep Patriot with an inoperable rear driver-side taillight.
A registration check revealed the vehicle had expired the previous day, and the registered owner’s driver’s license was suspended.
During the stop, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed a burning hand-rolled marijuana cigar in the center console.
The driver, identified as Hasan Pearson, 21, of Norristown, did not possess a medical marijuana card and was confirmed to be operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
While the vehicle was being held for the application of a search warrant, officers conducting an inventory search located a handgun with an extended magazine inside the vehicle.
Pearson did not have a valid permit to carry the firearm.
When officers attempted to take Pearson into custody, he fled on foot.
After a brief foot pursuit, officers apprehended him and took him into custody without further incident.
Pearson was charged with multiple offenses related to firearms violations, drug possession, resisting arrest and other related charges.
He was arraigned by District Justice Stacy Wertman and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $90,000 bail.
