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This Glock 45 pistol was reportedly recovered by police during a Sept. 12 traffic stop. Police said the gun was stolen, and a 17-year-old suspect allegedly possessed it.
Photo provided by the Sterling Heights Police Department
STERLING HEIGHTS — A recent traffic stop helped keep a stolen gun out of a teen’s hands, according to the Sterling Heights Police Department.
According to Lt. Mario Bastianelli, police pulled over a black Saab along Mound Road, by 17 Mile Road, at around 7:45 p.m. Sept. 12. Police Officer Julian Arche reportedly saw the car move off course and hit a curb, so he stopped the vehicle outside a car wash.
The vehicle reportedly had two 17-year-olds in it, and Arche reportedly noted that they were behaving anxiously and allegedly seemed to be deceptive about their destination. Then Arche and Officer Scott DeMuynck reportedly searched the car and the teens, and the passenger allegedly resisted the search until a loaded gun fell from his waistband down his pant leg, police said.
Police described the gun as a 9 mm Glock 45 that had an extended 30-round magazine. Upon this discovery, police reportedly arrested the occupant and took the gun.
Police said they learned that the gun came from Sterling Heights but was stolen. Officers added that the vehicle also contained a black ski mask.
Police added that the occupant possessing the gun was from Sterling Heights and had just been released from the Macomb County Juvenile Detention Center that same day “for a pending unarmed robbery case.” Police said they took him back to the detention center, and at the time, he was reportedly “awaiting further felony charges.”
Bastianelli told the Sentry in an email that the driver was “released on scene with a citation.” In a statement, he praised Arche’s and DeMuynck’s actions, adding that officers are always on guard, and “no traffic stop is ever just routine.”
“This incident could have quickly become a violent encounter with an armed suspect,” Bastianelli said. “Likely, these brave officers prevented further robberies from occurring by this suspect, and any innocent citizens from being injured.”
According to Dawn Fraylick, from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the juvenile has since been arraigned before Macomb County Juvenile Court Referee Kristin Stone, and Stone denied him bond. At press time, the juvenile was reportedly still at the Juvenile Justice Center and had a Sept. 26 court date scheduled, Fraylick added.
Anyone who has more information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sterling Heights Police Department by calling (586) 446-2800.
