A loaded pistol was found in the glove box of a car during an Aurora traffic stop on Saturday, Aurora police said.
Police said Martin Garcia, 21, allegedly hid the gun in the glove box as the vehicle he was a passenger in was stopped for blowing a stop sign around 1:05 p.m. Saturday near Ohio Street and Claim Street.
According to Aurora police reports, after officers initiated the stop, the female driver of the vehicle continued to drive for several blocks before finally pulling over near North Loucks Street and Liberty Street.
The officer wrote in his report that he saw Garcia allegedly toss something into the back seat before the car pulled over. Police said that Garcia appeared extremely nervous during questioning. He was allegedly breathing very heavily. Police could also smell alcohol coming from inside the vehicle, they said.
Although the vehicle’s driver initially denied officers consent to search the vehicle, she later told police that there was indeed a weapon in the glove compartment. She said it was an open bottle of alcohol that Garcia had been seen throwing in the back seat, but that he had also put a gun in the glove box. During a search, police located the alcohol, and a loaded semi-automatic pistol. There were 12 bullets inside the weapon and the serial number had been scratched off, they said.
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According to police, Garcia had taken the weapon from his waist area and put it into the glove box as they were being pulled over.
He was charged with three felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon, felony possession of a weapon by a gang member, felony possession of a defaced weapon, felony possession of a weapon by a felon and illegal transportation of alcohol.
Police said the driver was charged with disobeying a stop sign and released.