Traffic Stop Leads To Ridgewood Weapon Bust
What began as a routine stop of a vehicle for a driving infraction in Ridgewood last Friday morning, July 6, ended with the arrest of two men after police discovered a loaded handgun in their ride, it was reported.
The two suspects were identified by law enforcement sources as 25- year-old Mark Machuca of 81st Street in Woodhaven and 27-year-old Roshaun Williams of 96th Place in Ozone Park.
According to information provided by the office of Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, the trouble began at around 2:50 a.m. last Friday, when P.O. David Lewis of the 104th Precinct stopped a Honda Accord at the corner of Madison Street and Myrtle Avenue.
Reportedly, the officer observed that the sedan was being operated with its headlights out.
Machuca was allegedly observed behind the wheel of the car while Williams was seated in the front passenger seat; an unidentified male riding in the rear seat reportedly fled from the scene in an unknown direction after the vehicle was pulled over.
During a search of the car, authorities said, police found a .380-cal. High Point handgun in a black plastic bag as well as a brown paper bag within which contained eight live rounds.
Machuca and Williams were taken into custody by Officer Lewis and charged with two counts each of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Both suspects were arrainged the following day, Saturday, July 7, in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Deborah Stevens-Modica. She ordered Machuca held on $50,000 bail and Williams incarcerated on $20,000 bail.
