2 Arrested On Gun Charges After Traffic Stop: Meriden Police

MERIDEN, CT — Two men were arrested on gun charges after a traffic stop Wednesday in Meriden, according to police.

Police saw a Chevrolet Traverse with a non-functioning brake light and another brake light that was damaged traveling in the area of Chamberlain Highway and Windsor Avenue, according to officials.

Officers saw the driver, who was later identified as Juan Barrientos, park the vehicle in a lot on West Main Street, get out, and go into a store while two other occupants remained in the vehicle. Barrientos quickly left the store and got back into the vehicle, according to police.

Police conducted a traffic stop was conducted and an unregistered Taurus 9mm pistol was found on the floor near the back seat passenger, who was identified as Boris Soria, officials said.

“As this investigation progressed, it was determined that Juan had a temporary pistol permit but gave the unregistered pistol to Boris while in the vehicle; this type of transfer/delivery is prohibited by CT law,” police wrote in a news release. “Boris does not have a valid pistol permit to possess a pistol as required by CT law.”

Barrientos, 23, was charged with illegal transfer of firearm and failure to have stop lamps. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

Soria, 22, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, weapon in a motor vehicle and interfering with an officer. He was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond.