Man Struggles With Bensalem Police, Had Gun And Drugs

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —A Philadelphia man is in custody after a struggle with police officers during a traffic stop on Saturday.

Robert Rice, 34, of Philadelphia, was charged with Persons Not to Possess a Firearm, Firearms Not to be Carried without a License, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

At 1:10 a.m. on Saturday, Bensalem Police observed a white Nissan Maxima with vehicle code violations and conducted a traffic stop.

Officers approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Rice. The officer detected a strong odor of raw marijuana in the vehicle.

Rice did not have a medical marijuana card and was observed concealing items in the center console.

Backup officers arrived, and Rice refused to exit the vehicle when asked. He began to struggle with officers but was detained.

Officers then observed a firearm on the rear passenger floorboard in plain view.

The vehicle was towed, and a search warrant was obtained.

During the subsequent search of the vehicle, police recovered a Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and marijuana.

Police also seized drug paraphernalia, including baggies, rubber bands, and a digital scale.

Officers conducted a criminal history search and found that Rice had a robbery conviction, which precluded him from possessing a firearm.

District Justice Brian Marriott (Richboro) arraigned him, and Bensalem Police requested a high bail during the proceeding. District Justice Marriott remanded Rice to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $50,000.