Aurora police officers recovered firearms in two separate traffic stops last week, according to a news release. In both traffic stops, individuals with gang affiliations were arrested and face felony charges.
The first stop occurred last Thursday on North Avenue at Jackson Street at around 11:06 p.m. Officers topped 32-year-old Gabriel G. Martinez of Aurora for stop-sign violations. Upon investigating Martinez, officers noted indications of impairment and asked him to exit the vehicle. Officers spotted a handgun on the driver’s side floorboard and took Martinez into custody. He faces charges including possession of a firearm by a street gang member, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
The second stop occurred Saturday on East Benton Street near Waldo Middle School at around 4:35 p.m. A Toyota Camry was stopped by officers for a window tint violation. While officers were addressing tobacco violations involving minors, a 15-year-old juvenile fled the vehicle on foot holding his waistband. officers caught the juvenile on school property and took him into custody. A loaded handgun was recovered from the juvenile’s pant leg. The juvenile faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting a peace officer.
Both cases remain under investigation…