ROCHESTER, NY — A traffic stop for a defective headlight led to the arrest of a man on multiple weapons charges after a foot pursuit.
New York State Police arrested Amani Zaire Martinez, 22, of Rochester, on Jan. 31, 2026.
Troopers observed a vehicle traveling in the city with a defective headlight at approximately 9:59 p.m. and initiated a traffic stop on Union Street.
During the investigation, the driver was identified as Martinez.
As the occupants exited the vehicle, Martinez fled on foot.
Troopers pursued Martinez, who was observed clutching his waistband during the chase.
Martinez was apprehended a short distance away after resisting arrest.
During the arrest, troopers recovered a loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun, later determined to be a ghost gun, along with a high-capacity magazine containing twelve rounds of ammunition.
The firearm was safely secured, and the vehicle involved was towed from the scene.
Martinez is charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony; criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree (ghost gun), a class A misdemeanor; obstructing governmental administration, a class A misdemeanor; and resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor.
Martinez was transported to State Police Rochester for processing and later turned over to the Monroe County Jail for centralized arraignment.
