I-95 DWI Arrest Leads To Felony Weapons Charges: NYSP

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A South Carolina driver will spend more time in Westchester County than planned after being pulled over on the New England Thruway on Wednesday.

New York State police arrested Joshua Barnes of Loris, South Carolina on one count of felony criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a weapon as well as two counts of possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle under NYS Environmental Conservation Law.

The 41-year-old was also charged with driving while intoxicated, according to troopers.

State police stopped a vehicle being driven by Barnes on I-95 in New Rochelle for unspecified traffic violations. Troopers who approached the vehicle spotted a box of ammunition on the center console and Barnes admitted to being in possession of firearms, police said.

While talking to Barnes, troopers reported smelling an odor of alcoholic beverages. He later failed standardized field sobriety tests, according to officials.

Troopers searched the vehicle and located a loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun, two high-capacity pistol magazines, a loaded Smith and Wesson Compass 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, a loaded .22 caliber rifle, an unloaded .270 caliber rifle and assorted rounds of ammunition, police said.

Barnes was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court and ordered held at the Westchester County Jail on $2,500 cash bail, $15,000 insured bond or $25,000 partially secured bond. He’s due back in court on March 3.