Weed, Handguns Found During Solon Traffic Stop

SOLON, OH — Police arrested two men for mishandling a firearm and carrying marijuana on Oct. 7. The suspects were caught after a routine traffic stop for speeding, police say.

At about 2:45 p.m., officers were on US 422 when they saw a car go speeding by. Radar showed the car going 87 mph in a 60 mph zone. An officer decided to stop the vehicle on I-480, near Miles Road.

When the officer walked toward the car, he noticed the driver side window was tinted darker than allowed by law and a smell of burnt marijuana was wafting from the car. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Solon newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

Inside the car, there was a burnt marijuana blunt in the center ashtray, police say. One of the passengers, Avonte Avery, 27, of Maple Heights, told police the blunt belonged to him. He also said a camouflaged bag, with a digital scale and unloaded 9mm handgun and loaded 9mm magazine, were his.

A small bag of weed was shoved between the rear seat and the trunk area. A loaded 9 mm handgun was found under the seat of Vido Avery, 26, of Cleveland, another passenger, according to police documents.

The driver of the car, Anthony Blanchard, 25, of Warrensville, was issued a citation for speeding and tinted windows. Avery was issued misdemeanor citations for drug paraphernalia, drug possession and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. He is also being held on traffic warrants from Lakewood and Macedonia.

Avery was arrested and charged with felony carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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