A routine trespassing call led to a firearm arrest in New City on Wednesday afternoon after Clarkstown Police responded to a report of suspicious activity inside the New City Garden Apartments. Officers were dispatched at approximately 12:45 p.m. to 160 N Main Street, where they found three males sitting on top of washing machines in the building’s laundry room, smoking marijuana.
Upon identifying the individuals, officers conducted a warrant check and discovered that one of them, 24-year-old Julio Martinez of Stony Point, had an active warrant out of Dutchess County for weapon possession. Martinez was taken into custody, and during a search, officers found a loaded 9mm magazine in the pocket of his vest.
A brief search of the area where Martinez had been sitting led to the discovery of a SIG semi-automatic handgun. Detectives later confirmed that the firearm matched a weapon reported stolen to the Clarkstown Police Department just one week earlier. The other two individuals were interviewed and released without charges.
In addition to the outstanding warrant, Martinez now faces several new charges, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony), Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E Felony), Criminal Possession of Stolen Property (Class E Felony), and Unlawful Possession of Certain Ammunition Feeding Devices (Misdemeanor).
Martinez was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court, where bail was set at $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond, or $40,000 partially secured bond. He was subsequently transferred to the Rockland County Jail.
The Clarkstown Police Department stated that this arrest highlights their continued commitment to addressing criminal activity and ensuring the safety of the community. Authorities also reminded the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
