Men Charged With Gun Crimes In East Lyme: Police

EAST LYME, CT — Two men are facing charges after they allegedly threw two guns out of a car during a traffic stop, according to police. Police said they stopped a car for a moving violation in the area of East Lyme High School on Chesterfield Road on Saturday evening.

As the driver was bringing the car to a stop, the passenger is accused of throwing a .45-caliber handgun out the window.

Police also found a 9mm handgun on the road's grassy shoulder.

Both the driver and passenger were taken into custody. The driver, Brian Melendez, 28, of New Haven, is a convicted felon, according to police.

He was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer/resisting arrest, two counts of criminal possession of a pistol/revolver, and second-degree reckless endangerment. He was held on $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Monday.

The passenger, Lawrence Grayson, 28, of West Haven, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment. He was released on $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New London Superior Court on Sept. 16.