Driver Caught With Handgun, Ammunition In Hamptons: Cops

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Ronkonkoma man was cuffed after he was caught with a handgun and ammunition in Southampton, police said.

According to Southampton Village Police, Maleik T. Bonner, 20, was arrested on Oct. 8 at 4:02 p.m. and charged with two counts of third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony; second degree aggravated unlicensed operations and operating a vehicle with a suspended registration, both misdemeanors; and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, police said.

Bonner was stopped for a vehicle and traffic violation while driving a 2008 Nissan west on County Road 39 when police noticed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and subsequently found a .22 caliber Zip handgun with magazines and ammunition, police said.

In addition, a quantity of marijuana was recovered, police said.

A computer check revealed that Bonner’s privilege to operate a vehicle in New York State had been suspended five times since June, 2018, police said. The vehicle he was driving had a suspended registration since June, 2018 for insurance not in effect; the vehicle was impounded, police said.

At his arraignment, Bonner was remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverside in lieu of $20,000 bail, police said.

Patch photo courtesy Southampton Village Police.