Traffic Stop In Nassau Leads To Weapon Arrest: Police

A Roosevelt man was charged with weapons possession after police say officers found a handgun on him during a traffic stop.

According to police, Community Oriented Police Enforcement officers were on patrol in an unmarked car at 9:50 p.m. on Feb. 4 when they saw a car roll through a stop sign at Lakewood Avenue and Rose Avenue in Roosevelt. The officers turned on their lights and pulled the car over.

When the officers approached, police say they could smell marijuana coming from the car, and said the three men inside were uncooperative.

During the investigation, police say the officers saw a bulge in the waistband of Steven Townsend, 30, of Linden Street, and had him get out of the car. The officers searched him, and police say they found a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Townsend was arrested without incident.

Townsend is charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and false impersonation. He is scheduled to be arraigned today in First District Court in Hempstead.