An unregistered 9mm handgun was taken as evidence in the matter, police said.
A traffic stop in Whitpain Township led police to a gun arrest of a Philadelphia man.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, around 11:08 p.m., a Whitpain Township Police Department officer was monitoring traffic at Skippack Pike and Lewis Lane when they were alerted to a silver, Chevrolet Malibu with a suspended registration, reports said. The registration, according to reports, was suspended due to a canceled insurance policy, which had expired in May.
Police said that they initiated a traffic stop in the area of Skippack Pike at Ivy Road. As police approached the passenger’s side of the vehicle, reports stated that the driver was seen holding a black firearm in his left hand, attempting to conceal it from view.
The driver, later identified as Anthony J. Smith, 63, of the 1400 block of West Grange Street, in Philadelphia, according to police, was ordered to show police his hands and placed the firearm on the floorboard of the vehicle. Smith was then detained by police and searched, as additional units arrived to back up the officer, according to reports.
Police said that a black Ruger Security 9 handgun was found in the vehicle, and that it contained 15, 9mm rounds in the magazine. The firearm, police said, was cleared and secured as evidence.
Reports stated that, upon speaking with Smith, police discovered that he did not have a permit to carry the firearm by his own admittance. Smith was also a person listed as not to possess a firearm due to a prior arrest, police said. Smith also admitted to purchasing the firearm “on the streets,” reports stated. The gun, police said, was also not registered.
Smith was freed on a Bond Signature and is facing felony charges of possession of a prohibited firearm, firearm not to be carried without a license, and a person not to possess a firearm, as well as charges of possession of a weapon, a suspended vehicle registration, and an unregistered vehicle. He is due to face Magisterial District Judge Suzan Leonard on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. for a preliminary hearing.
