Two people were arrested after a traffic stop early Sunday uncovered two loaded firearms, including one equipped with an extended magazine and an illegal conversion device that allowed it to be fired fully automatic with one press of the trigger, according to the Richmond Police Department.
The incident unfolded about 2 a.m. Sunday when officers were dispatched to a loud music complaint and a report of loitering in the parking lot in an apartment complex in the southern police district.
Officers located a group of subjects near a vehicle, but the arrests didn’t take place until about an hour later, when an officer spotted the same vehicle “aimlessly driving around” a nearby neighborhood, police said. The officer noticed the vehicle had expired registration, leading to a traffic stop.
During the stop, the officer developed probable cause to search the vehicle, resulting in the recovery of the firearms.
The driver initially provided a false name, but police would identify him and discover he had three out-of-state warrants, with alerts indicating he is known to carry firearms.
“Both individuals were booked on multiple firearm-related charges, including possession of a machine gun,” police said.