Vehicle Stop Leads To Recovered Firearm And Marijuana: Naugatuck PD

NAUGATUCK, CT — Police said a motor vehicle stop led to the recovery of marijuana and a firearm.

On May 20, police were in the area of Bridge Street attempting to locate a vehicle suspected to be involved in a criminal incident involving a firearm, police said. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on a vehicle matching the description given and officers identified the driver as Passionique Taylor, 30, police said.

This motor vehicle investigation led to a search of the vehicle where the following items were recovered, police said:

• 3 lbs. and 7.2 ounces of packaged marijuana
• 1 black Springfield XDS Gun Box containing 2 magazines loaded each with 5, .45 caliber rounds
• 8 loose .45 caliber rounds

These items were seized and Passionique was issued a misdemeanor summons for violation of possession of a controlled substance (1st Offense) and she was released on a promise to appear with a court date of June 02 at Waterbury Superior Court.

As the investigation continued, the firearm in question was later located at a residence in Waterbury and seized as evidence, police said. This gun was identified as a Gesichert BB Gun, police said. That seizure led to the arrest of Anthony Hicks, 40, of Waterbury, police said.

Hicks is charged with disorderly conduct, first-degree threatening, third-degree assault, illegal use of a facsimile firearm, and criminal possession of a firearm/weapon.

"We urge the public to observe the BB gun photographed and understand the implications that carrying a realistic BB gun pose for everyone’s safety," Naugatuck police said in a statement. "Furthermore, displaying it during criminal activity poses the risk of further violence being committed in the heat of the moment. We again ask you to educate each other, and your children on proper firearm safety practices, containment, and responsibility that comes with the use of both real and fake firearms."