By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
ALLEN PARK — While on patrol at eastbound Southfield Road near Roosevelt Avenue Jan. 21, police observed a black Audi Q7 without functioning tail lights. They also noticed an Ohio temporary license plate that expired in October.
A traffic stop was conducted at eastbound Southfield Road at Allen Road where the driver said he was unaware of the defective tail lights and that he had recently purchased the vehicle. The driver also said that he had not yet insured the Audi and could not produce a driver’s license or any for of identification.
According to the report, the driver said he and his passenger had driven from the Cleveland area to Detroit to purchase a pair of sunglasses.
The driver asked to exit the Audi when he was asked if there any weapons or drugs inside the vehicle, to which he replied that his gun was under the front passenger seat. He said that he had a valid Ohio concealed pistol license but that he didn’t have it on him.
Also, the driver could not state to whom the firearm was registered. Prior to police asking about the gun, the driver did not inform the officer that he was a CPL holder and that there was a firearm in the vehicle.
The driver was arrested and placed in the officer’s patrol vehicle. When police approached the passenger side of the vehicle and made contact with the front seat passenger, the officer was told there was a firearm under the seat and the passenger pointed toward the under seat cushion.
The passenger said the gun did not belong to him and that he didn’t know who it was registered to.
Police retrieved a Glock 17 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol from underneath the seat cushion, which had a 17 Glock magazine inserted containing 10 rounds of ammunition including one round chambered. Both were confiscated and taken to the police station.
A check of the driver’s record revealed his Ohio license was suspended and showed several non-extradition warrants for his arrest with caution notifications. Downriver Central Dispatch was unable to confirm a valid CPL for the driver in Ohio.
The driver was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and driving with a suspended license.
A towing company towed the Audi and passengers were given a courtesy transport to nearby hotel by an officer. The report said the driver was lodged without bond at the police station.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)