6 NYC Men Arrested In Greenburgh On Weapon Charges

GREENBURGH, NY — A driver's expired license led to troopers finding illegal weapons in the car, according to New York State Police.

New York State Police say that on April 30, around 1:45 a.m., officers stopped a vehicle on I-87 in Greenburgh.

While speaking with the driver, 23-year-old Joan Velez Castillo, of Manhattan, it was determined that his license was expired. A check of the five passengers in the vehicle revealed that none of them had a valid driver’s license either.

While troopers were conducting an inventory before having the vehicle towed away, they found a loaded semiautomatic handgun and a switchblade knife in the vehicle.

The driver, as well as four passengers from the Bronx, 22-year-old Anibal Hernandez, 24-year-old Jorgelis Rodriguez, 24-year-old Andreudy Pichardo Madera, and 21-year-old Johan Miranda, were arrested and taken to SP Tarrytown. They were charged with felony second degree criminal possession of a weapon (loaded firearm other than in a person’s home/business), and misdemeanor fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon (firearm/knife).

The fifth passenger, Joerick Merejido, 20, also from the Bronx, fled the scene on foot but was found and arrested soon after. He was charged with felony second degree criminal possession of a weapon (loaded firearm other than in a person’s home/business), and misdemeanor fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon (firearm/knife). Merejido had additional charges of misdemeanor second degree obstructing governmental administration and misdemeanor resisting arrest.

All six men were arraigned before the Town of Greenburgh Court where they were released on their own recognizance. They are to scheduled to reappear on May 7.