SYRACUSE -- Officers from the Syracuse Police Department Crime Reduction Team recovered arrested three people and recovered a loaded handgun after a traffic stop on Thursday night, the Syracuse Police says in a release.
Police say that at about 11:40 on Thursday night, officers Sean Carleo, Dave Carleo and Matt Erwin stopped a tan Mercury Mountaineer on Route 690 West near the Geddes Street ramp because the vehicle had illegally tinted windows.
When talking to the driver, 23-year-old Miquel Velez of Syracuse, officers say that they smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officers then searched the vehicle.
During the search, officers say that they found a loaded Browning 22 caliber, semi-automatic handgun. A check of the weapon showed that it was stolen.
Police say the investigation resulted in the arrest of 18-year-old Dominick Vidal of 1016 Hawley Avenue in Syracuse. He is charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property.
Vidal was sent to the Justice Center and is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday morning in Syracuse City Criminal Court.
Miquel Velez was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, non-transparent side windows and unlicensed operation.
Another passenger, 25-year-old Jesse Velez Jr. of Syracuse, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, and permitting unlicensed operation.
Both Miquel Velez and Jesse Velez were released on appearance tickets. They will appear in court at a later date.
A fourth person in the vehicle was not charged.
