Vehicle Stop Leads To Weapons Charges In Albany

Once again a traffic stop has led to illegal gun charges, this time the driver was a man from Pennsylvania.

Yesterday an officer with the Albany County Sheriff's Office stopped 31-year old Markus Planku around 2:52 a.m. for speeding. The vehicle was stopped on Rt. 9W in the City of Albany.

Mr. Planku, a Philadelphia resident, was driving the vehicle. When the officers approached the vehicle to speak with the driver, the smell of marijuana drifted from the vehicle.

Because the driver was suspected of a drug violation, officers removed him from the vehicle. When they searched the vehicle they found a 9 mm pistol in his backpack. The officers reported that the pistol was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.

After further investigation, the officers discovered that Mr. Planku does not have a valid license to carry a gun in New York State. In addition, he does not have any type of permit for the gun in any other state.

Marjus Planku received several felony charges that day. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third-degree (Class D. Felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second-degree (Class C Felony); Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (Misdemeanor); and Speeding (Traffic Violation).

Mr. Planku was taken to the Albany County Correctional Facility where he is waiting for arraignment.

It’s amazing how many times we’ve seen traffic stops that result in drug and weapons charges. You never know who is carrying around loaded guns in their cars. We all know that gun violence is out of control in the Capital Region, so we must all continue to be safe.

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