NEW YORK - An Ohio man is in custody after police say he was found with an unloaded rifle in a subway station in Times Square Friday afternoon.
Earlier today, a man in possession of an unloaded rifle was taken into custody by officers inside the Times Square subway station. There is NO current threat to the public. More information will be provided when it is available. pic.twitter.com/uwWyq4q3Yb
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 16, 2021
Police sources say around 12:30 p.m. Friday, the 18-year-old was at the A/C/E subway station charging his phone when two police officers spotted the weapon.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea says two officers recovered an AK-47 and a loaded magazine from the 18-year-old.
.@NYPDTransit cops on “routine” patrol in the @TimesSquareNYC subway station recovered this AK-47 & a loaded magazine from an 18 y/o from Ohio.
— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) April 16, 2021
This story could’ve had a tragically different ending, but thanks to these diligent cops it ends with the suspect in handcuffs. pic.twitter.com/SkSyBzMdfV
Authorities have identified the person who was arrested as 18-year-old Saddiq Teague. Police say he is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
Police say he was also found with drug paraphernalia on him, and will be charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia.