UTICA — Police seized a loaded handgun and made an arrest during a traffic stop Saturday night.
Officers with the Crime Prevention Unit observed a vehicle with multiple New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations on the 1400 block of Whitesboro Street at approximately 9:40 p.m. on Sept. 21.
The area was under proactive enforcement as a designated Gun-Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Hot Spot.
The driver initially fled from officers, proceeding through several intersections while ignoring traffic control devices.
The vehicle eventually stopped near the intersection of Dent Street and Whitesboro Street.
Officers approached the vehicle and requested the occupants exit due to the nature of the stop.
As the driver exited, officers observed the grip of a handgun protruding from under the driver’s seat.
Both occupants were detained at the scene.
The firearm was recovered and identified as a loaded .22 caliber handgun.
The suspects were transported to the Utica Police Department for processing.
Following an investigation, Logan Miers, 18, of Westmoreland, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and criminal possession of a firearm.
Miers was also issued summonses for seven New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
