Armed suspect busted during laundry room marijuana session at new city apartment complex

NEW CITY, N.Y. — A 24-year-old man with a warrant for weapons possession was arrested Wednesday afternoon after police found him and two others allegedly smoking marijuana inside the laundry room of a Rockland County apartment building.

Key Points

Police responded to trespassing and marijuana use at New City Garden Apartments on April 2.
Julio Martinez, 24, was arrested after a warrant check and discovery of a loaded 9mm magazine and stolen firearm.
Martinez faces multiple felony charges and is being held on $10,000 cash bail at Rockland County Jail.

Trespassing call leads to firearm recovery

Clarkstown Police officers were dispatched to the New City Garden Apartments at 160 N Main St around 12:45 p.m. following reports of trespassing and suspected marijuana use. Upon arrival, officers found three males sitting atop washing machines inside the complex’s laundry room, actively smoking marijuana.

While conducting identification and warrant checks, police discovered that one of the individuals, Julio Martinez of Stony Point, had an outstanding warrant from Dutchess County for possession of a weapon. He was immediately detained.

Stolen gun linked to Martinez

During a search, officers found a loaded 9mm magazine in Martinez’s vest pocket. A further search of the area revealed a SIG semi-automatic handgun near where he had been sitting. Detectives later confirmed the firearm had been reported stolen to the Clarkstown Police Department a week prior by the registered owner.

The other two males were interviewed by police and subsequently released.

Multiple felony charges filed

As a result of the arrest, Martinez now faces several new charges, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, and Unlawful Possession of Certain Ammunition Feeding Devices.

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 then transferred to Rockland County Jail.

Authorities said the arrest is part of ongoing law enforcement efforts in the area.

A trespassing tip led to the arrest of a man with a stolen gun and open weapons warrant in a suburban laundry room bust.

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