BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — A Montgomery County man is in custody after trying to flee police following a traffic stop on Sunday, police said.
The Bensalem Township Police Department conducted a traffic stop at 1:23 a.m. on Sunday on Street Road near High Avenue.
Bensalem Police observed a Jeep Patriot with an inoperable rear driver-side taillight.
Police said a registration check revealed the vehicle had expired the previous day, and the registered owner’s driver’s license was suspended.
During the traffic stop, police detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed a burning hand-rolled marijuana cigar in the center console.
The driver, identified as Hasan Pearson, 21, of Norristown, did not possess a medical marijuana card and was confirmed to be operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
While the vehicle was being held for a search warrant, police officers found a handgun with an extended magazine inside the vehicle. The driver did not have a valid permit to carry the firearm, police said.
When police officers attempted to take Pearson into custody, he fled on foot in an attempt to evade arrest. After a brief foot pursuit, officers apprehended him without further incident.
Pearson was charged with multiple offenses related to firearms violations, drug possession, resisting arrest, and other related charges.
He was arraigned by District Justice Stacy Wertman and sent to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10 percent of $90,000 bail.