What started as a simple traffic stop near West 10th Avenue and North Grove Street quickly turned into a weapons case after officers say they found a loaded handgun and open alcohol containers inside the car. District 1 officers report they pulled the vehicle over after seeing it drift out of its lane and noticing defective equipment. The driver was taken into custody, and the car was impounded so investigators could process the scene.
Lane Violation Leads To Gun, Open Alcohol, Police Say
According to officers, the stop began as a run-of-the-mill traffic pull-over for a lane violation and equipment issues near West 10th Avenue and North Grove Street. Additional units were called in to assist. During what police described as a safety search of the vehicle, officers say they found a loaded handgun and spotted open alcohol containers inside the car. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, and the driver was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a weapon by a previous offender, according to Denver Police District 1.
What POWPO Means Under Colorado Law
Possession of a weapon by a previous offender, commonly called POWPO, is set out in C.R.S. 18-12-108 and makes it a felony for people with certain prior convictions to knowingly possess firearms or specific other dangerous weapons. The charge can be filed as a class 5 felony, which carries potential prison time and fines, and courts treat constructive possession, such as when a gun is found in a vehicle, as satisfying the possession requirement. For a summary of the statute and its penalties, see Justia.
Parole Status Raises Legal Stakes
Police wrote that the driver in this case was on parole for a homicide, according to Denver Police District 1. That kind of background can make prosecutors more likely to pursue serious charges if they determine the evidence supports them. Investigators impounded the vehicle and forwarded the case for additional review by prosecutors.
Routine Stops Often Crack Open Bigger Cases
Traffic stops routinely uncover firearms and other contraband, turning what begins as a basic lane or equipment citation into a full-blown criminal investigation. Denver officials have previously spotlighted joint work with federal partners to target illegal guns and violent offenders as part of broader efforts to reduce gun violence. The cooperation is detailed in a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which notes how everyday traffic enforcement can feed into larger gun cases.
Anyone with information related to this stop is asked to contact the investigators at District 1. Contact details are listed on the city’s police pages at Denver Police. The department says the investigation is ongoing and has not released further details beyond its initial post.
