Three people charged after ‘ghost gun’ found at motel
Colonie Police arrested two people and got a “ghost gun” off the streets after a domestic incident.
Officers responded to the Econo Lodge Inn and Suites at 1630 Central Ave. just after 5 a.m. on Sunday for a report of a person with a weapon.
The victim told investigators that she was assaulted and a handgun was displayed by Marcus A. Cardona, 41, of the Bronx. Cardona was seen with the gun contained in a black fanny pack walking toward Motel 6 at 1600 Central Ave., where he had multiple rooms registered in his name, according to police.
Surveillance footage showed Cardona pass what appeared to be the fanny pack off to Destiny Ruiz, 22, of Schenectady, before he was arrested. Police asked Ruiz and another man to exit one of the motel rooms.
Then, police said Dennis D. Carter, 42-year-old Schenectady resident, was seen on the officer’s body camera throwing the fanny pack out of the rear window of that room.
Officers recovered the weapon, which was illegal, unregistered and untraceable, according to police.
All three people were arrested without incident.
They are each facing charges of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and tampering with physical evidence. Corona is also facing charges of menacing and harassment.
All three defendants were arraigned in Colonie Town Court and sent to Albany County Jail pending a preliminary hearing. Cardona remains in jail. Ruiz has been released to probation and carter has been released on his own recognizance.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact Colonie Police investigators at 518-783-2754. Anonymous tips can be reported to Capital Region Crimestoppers at 1-833-ALB-TIPS or capitalregioncrimestoppers.com.