Albany Resident Arrested for Possession of Stolen and Defaced Handgun

On Saturday, an Albany man named Russell Segura was arrested in Cohoes, New York after turning over a loaded and stolen handgun. The firearm had a defaced serial number and had been reported stolen to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Segura, who is 18 years old, was charged with multiple offenses related to the possession of the illegal firearm.

The charges against Segura include fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property – firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon – ammunition feeding device, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon – defaced for concealment, second-degree criminal use of a firearm: possess deadly weapon – loaded, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon: loaded firearm – other than in a person’s home or business. These charges reflect the seriousness of the situation and the potential danger posed by the illegal possession of the firearm.

According to the police, a caller reported seeing three individuals going through cars near Leversee Avenue. Upon arrival, Segura handed over a bag containing the loaded handgun along with a magazine that had nine rounds of 9mm luger ammunition. This incident highlights the importance of community members reporting suspicious behavior and working together with law enforcement to ensure public safety. Following his arrest, Segura was arraigned, released with an ankle monitor, and is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday, May 30 at 10 a.m.

This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing issue of illegal firearms in our communities and the importance of strict enforcement of gun laws to prevent gun violence and protect the public. The defaced serial number on the stolen handgun suggests attempts to conceal its origins and make it harder to trace back to its rightful owner. This raises concerns about the potential use of such weapons in criminal activities and the need for effective measures to prevent their circulation in the community.

It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to work closely with the public to identify and address incidents involving illegal firearms. The cooperation of community members in reporting suspicious activities can help prevent crimes and ensure the safety of everyone. By holding individuals like Russell Segura accountable for their actions and enforcing strict penalties for gun-related offenses, we can make our communities safer and reduce the threat of gun violence.