Traffic Stop Leads To Illegal Gun Arrest In Albany

Members of the Albany Police Department were able to make two separate weapons arrests in the Albany area in two separate incidents over the weekend.

The first arrest occurred around 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday. Detectives with the Albany Police Department were conducting a traffic stop in the area of Morton Avenue and Delaware Avenue when they encountered a driver trying to conceal a weapon in his pants.

During a traffic stop officers confiscated a gun that 35-year old Elquan Sturdivant was trying to hide in his pants. The officers recovered a .380 caliber handgun that Sturdivant had in his possession.

Police officers determined that the illegal handgun was stolen and reported to the Cocoa Florida Police Department in December of 2018. Officers have not said how the stolen gun turned up in Albany, New York.

Mr. Sturdivant was charged with one count of second-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, One count of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and One count of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Mr. Sturtivant was arraigned on Friday in the Albany Criminal Court and he was released after he was able to post bail.

The second incident happened on Sunday evening around 9:00 p.m. at the scene of a two car accident.

Members of the Albany Fire Department and the Albany Police Department were working at the scene of a two car accident at the intersection of North Lake Avenue and Central Avenue.

The vehicle being driven by 27-year old Lance Jorge hit a utility pole and when emergency personnel arrived at the scene, he was still inside his vehicle. While Mr. Jorge was being extricated from the vehicle, officers recovered a loaded 9 mm handgun.

Mr. Jorge was arrested and charged with one count of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon and one count of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He was arraigned at the Albany Criminal Court and released on his own recognizance.

Riding around with illegal firearms is never a good idea you never know when you could be stopped and searched. If you're going to exercise your second amendment rights make sure all paperwork is filed or you could end up in a similar situation.