An early morning traffic stop in downtown Sudbury led to charges for five people and turned up a loaded handgun, Greater Sudbury Police said in a news release Monday.
Police said officers were patrolling downtown as part of a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) when at around 2:15 a.m. Dec. 15, GSPS said an officer spotted a vehicle being driven in an unsafe manner.
“The vehicle was seen speeding, braking suddenly, making unsafe turns and not coming to a full stop at a four-way stop intersection,” the news release states.
Officers pulled the vehicle over on Paris at Van Horne street. Due to the way the vehicle was being driven, officers suspected impairment and administered a roadside screening test with a device. The driver registered a fail, GSPS said.
The driver was placed under arrest for impaired operation and the passengers were asked to exit the vehicle.
“As the vehicle was being impounded due to the driver being impaired, officers had the authority to search the vehicle incident to arrest,” GSPS said. “The passengers became agitated when officers indicated they would be searching the vehicle and left the area while officers were conducting the search. Officers located a loaded handgun and a loaded magazine in the vehicle.”
Officers quickly located the passengers on Elgin Street. All four were arrested.
The driver, a 27-year-old man, is charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There is a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- Operation While Impaired
The four passengers, ages 19, 20, 21 and 24, are charged with:
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There is a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon
- Possession of a Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
All five individuals attended Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) court on December 15, 2024, to answer to the charges.
