Erie police said they seized three guns, two of which had extended magazines, in a traffic stop in the city on the evening of Feb. 21.
Three of the four men who were in the vehicle are facing criminal charges related to the guns, Police Chief Rick Lorah said Feb. 23.
According to Lorah, Erie Bureau of Police patrol officers stopped a vehicle for traffic violations in the 1800 block of Parade Street. The officers saw a gun on a seat next to a passenger, he said.
The officers then located a gun with an extended magazine under the driver’s seat, and another gun with an extended 30-round magazine in a bookbag between the legs of another passenger, according to Lorah.
“Any time you pull over a vehicle and pull three firearms from it, two of which have extended magazines, that’s extremely concerning to us,” Lorah said. “It was great work by the patrol officers seeing the traffic violation.”
More: Three charged after gunshots lead to robbery, assault report in Erie
The three suspects were taken into custody at about 9:45 p.m. Feb. 21 from the 1800 block of Parade Street, according to Erie police arrest records.
Marious Schmitz, 18, was arraigned Feb. 22 on a felony count of carrying a firearm without a license and a summary traffic violation and had bond set at 10% of $5,000, according to information in his criminal docket sheet.
Gianni Constantino, 19, was arraigned Feb. 22 on a felony count of carrying a firearm without a license and on two misdemeanor drug charges and was released on unsecured bond, according to information in his criminal docket sheet.
Takoda K. Burk, 20, was arraigned Feb. 22 on a felony count of carrying a firearm without a license and was jailed on $5,000 bond, according to information in his criminal docket sheet.
The three are tentatively scheduled to appear in court for their preliminary hearings March 6.
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Traffic stop leads to gun seizure by Erie police, charges against 3