Hartford Traffic Stop Leads to Discovery of Loaded Gun

HARTFORD, CT — A routine traffic stop on Interstate 91 southbound Thursday night wound up with a vehicle passenger under arrest for carrying a loaded handgun.

Obbie Prude, 20, of Bloomfield, was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, possession of a controlled substance and failure to wear safety belt.

Bond was set at $250,000.

According to a report from Connecticut State Police, the vehicle in which Prude was riding was stopped near Exit 33 due to the driver and passenger failing to wear seatbelts. Officers detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, and instructed both the driver and passenger to exit when marijuana was seen in plain view on the front passenger side.

While patting down Prude, a trooper discovered a handgun in his waistband, which turned out to be loaded, police said.

The driver was issued an infraction for failure to wear safety belt, police said.

Photos courtesy of Connecticut State Police