Driver Busted With AK-47 and Weed in Washington Heights Stop

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The NYPD busted a South Carolina man for a host of gun and drug offenses on Tuesday night after he was pulled over for driving erratically.

Police said they pulled over Cleon Cortez, 45, after two police officers and a sergeant noticed him driving his red Dodge SUV out-of-control near Broadway and West 174th Street at 7:15 p.m. They likely found more than they expected when they pulled him over, though.

According to police, inside they found an AK-47, a double-barrel shotgun, two 30-round magazines, hundreds of shotgun shells and 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana.

Cortez, a native of Loris, South Carolina, was arrested at the scene.

He has been charged with 10 counts, including two counts of possession of a loaded firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a weapon, one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of over two ounces of marijuana, one count of aggravated unlicensed operation and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Photo Credit: NYPD