WEST LAMPETER TOWNSHIP, PA — A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a license after a police officer observed suspicious behavior during a patrol.
Yomar A. Ocasio-Fernandez, of Lancaster, was arrested April 18 at 10:50 p.m. in the 800 block of Long Rifle Road.
A West Lampeter Township Police officer conducting proactive patrol observed two people on a blue motorized scooter traveling around the area.
The officer noticed the passenger was wearing a backpack.
The scooter pulled into a driveway and the officer turned around to make contact with the riders.
When the officer made contact, the passenger had disappeared from view but reappeared without the backpack as the officer spoke to the driver.
The passenger was identified as Ocasio-Fernandez.
During a roadside investigation, the officer discovered the passenger had discarded the backpack, which contained a Taurus 9mm handgun, a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Ocasio-Fernandez was charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, a third-degree felony, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.
He was arraigned April 19 before Magisterial District Judge Benner and received $10,000 bail.
Ocasio-Fernandez was remanded to Lancaster County Prison and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.
