UTICA, NY – A Utica man was arrested and charged for criminal possession of a firearm during a routine traffic stop early Saturday morning.
At approximately 1:30 AM officers with the GIVE Unit and Crime Prevention Unit were conducting proactive enforcement relative to the recent gun violence when they conducted a vehicle stop on Bleecker St near John St.
“While speaking with the passenger, they noticed that he was acting in a suspicious manner and made repeated movements toward his waistband area. Based on their belief that the individual may have been attempting to conceal an item, a frisk of the area in question was undertaken,” police reported. “While conducting the frisk the officers felt a handgun in the waistband area, and the weapon was safely removed and the male, William White age 24 of Utica, was placed into custody.”
While inspecting the weapon it was found to be a loaded Glock 9mm handgun loaded with 26 rounds in an extended magazine. Additionally, it was learned that the weapon was recently stolen from Atlanta, GA.