Troy Traffic Stop Leads To Illegal Gun Arrest

Once again a routine traffic violation led to the arrest of the driver. This time the driver was charged with having an illegal gun and marijuana in his possession.

Police officers with the Troy Police Department were on routine patrol in the area of Congress St. and Fourth St. when they observed a vehicle committing several traffic violations.

Officers conducted a traffic stop and they interviewed a Troy resident who was driving the vehicle. During the traffic stop, the officers discovered that the driver, 23-year-old Francisco Rivera had marijuana in his possession and there was a gun in the car.

Officers confiscated a loaded Smith and Wesson 9 mm handgun from the vehicle.

At that time officers took Mr. Rivera out of the vehicle and arrested him. They also arrested his passenger, 25-year-old Lysa Santos who is also from Troy.

Lysa Santos was arrested and charged with second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. The third-degree weapon charge was for a previous conviction. Santos was arraigned in the Troy City Court and was released on an appearance ticket schedule for February 16.

Officers did not verify what the traffic offenses were, and Mr. Rivera was not charged with any traffic violations. Mr. Rivera was charged with second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. He was arraigned in the Troy City Court and he was released on an appearance ticket scheduled for February 16. Officers across the Capital Region are getting illegal guns off the street in force.