Munster Police Confiscate Four Guns In Traffic Stops
Over Mothers Day weekend, the Munster Police Department confiscated a total of four handguns from separate traffic stops by patrol officers, according to Lt. John Peirick of The Munster Police.
On Friday, May 8 at approximately 7:15 PM, a patrol officer was in the area of Manor Avenue and Hollywood Avenue when he smelled the odor of burnt marijuana, Police said. Upon further investigation, the officer located where the smell was coming from and found a subject sitting in a parked vehicle. The officer located marijuana, along with a loaded .40 caliber handgun. The subject, a 36-year-old Munster resident, was arrested and charges of Carrying of Handgun Without a License were forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor, Peirick stated.
On Saturday, May 9 at approximately 7:45 PM, a K-9 Officer initiated a traffic stop in the 7800 block of Calumet Avenue for a traffic infraction. The officer noted the smell of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and further investigation located a stolen, loaded 9mm handgun from the driver, a 39 year-old Ohio resident. A loaded 9mm handgun, was found on the passenger, a 41-year-old Ohio resident. The driver was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Theft of a Firearm and Possession of Marijuana. The passenger was arrested and charged with Carrying of Handgun Without a License.
Also, on Saturday, May 9 at approximately 11:30 PM, a patrol officer was in the 7800 block of Calumet Avenue when he encountered a vehicle at Marathon Gas Station. A subsequent investigation located marijuana and a loaded .32 caliber handgun. An 18-year-old Hammond resident was arrested and charges of Carrying of Handgun Without a License were forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor, Peirick stated. A 21-year-old Hammond resident was arrested, and charges of Possession of Marijuana were forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor.
