Packed Heat On A Train In Oz. Pk.
Originally thrown off a subway train in Ozone Park for occupying too many seats, a Rockaway man was cuffed on weapons possession charges early last Saturday morning, Sept. 15, after police found a loaded handgun in his backpack, law enforcement sources said.
According to police, 28-year-old Omar Gillespie of Elizabeth Avenue was spotted by P.O. Karl Kautzsch of NYPD Transit District 23 lying on seats while riding an A train at the 80th Street station at around 2:40 a.m. last Saturday.
The officer reportedly ordered the suspect to depart the train at the station, and Gillespie complied. Upon further investigation, authorities stated, Kautzsch learned that the suspect was at large on an open arrest warrant.
During a search of Gillespie, law enforcement sources noted, the officer found a loaded .38-cal. revolver and a speed loader inside the suspect’s backpack. Several live rounds of ammunition were also recovered, it was noted.
Gillespie was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, Gillespie was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court later that day before Judge Michael Yavinsky and was ordered held on $100,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 28.
