Halfmoon man arrested following vehicle stop, shotgun and cocaine found inside

The Saratoga Springs Police Department say they arrested Jeremy P. Howard, 48, of Halfmoon on Friday following a traffic stop.

Police say they received a call around 11:30 p.m. regarding a vehicle leaving the scene of a one-car accident in the area of South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The caller notified police that the vehicle had driven over the median of the road and continued driving southbound.

They were able to locate the vehicle on Route 9 South in the area of Crescent Avenue and stopped the vehicle in a parking lot along the roadway.

Officials say they discovered narcotics paraphernalia and other items indicative of criminal activity while investigating the vehicle Howard was operating. They called a K9 unit to the scene as well, which the unit was able to alert officers of narcotics inside the vehicle.

The search of the vehicle resulted in a seizure of 6.1 grams of suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, $1,980, and a shotgun, said police.

Howard was arrested and charged with the following:

• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class B felony)
• Fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug (class C felony)
• Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (class A misdemeanor)
• Leaving the scene of an accident (traffic violation)
• Failure to keep right (traffic violation)

Police say Howard is not allowed to possess a firearm, according to the New York State Penal Law.

Howard was arraigned in Saratoga Springs City Court and released without bail to appear at a later date.