QUEENS — Police arrested a man who they said had a loaded semi-automatic AK-47 rifle in his car while driving in downtown Jamaica last month, officials said.
Police stopped Mark Sanders, 50, of Shepherd Avenue in Brooklyn, after he disobeyed several signs while making a left hand turn at 91st Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard, one block away from the Jamaica AirTrain station, on Dec. 1 about 3 p.m., according to police officials and court documents.
When officers looked into Sander’s grey Cadillac, they saw the AK-47, as well as several rounds of ammunition and a gun cleaning kit.
Sanders, who also had a gravity knife in his pocket, did not have a permit for the weapon, police said.
“We don’t know exactly what he was going to do with it, possibly sell it,” said Inspector John Cappelmann, commanding officer of the 103rd Precinct, at a community council meeting Tuesday night.
Sanders also did not have a driver's license and his car had a forged registration sticker, police said.
A record check also revealed that his driver’s license was revoked on at least three occasions, most recently on Aug. 1, 1999, each time for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, according to court documents and the state DMV. His license currently remains revoked.
Sanders, who according to court documents, was convicted of criminal trespass last August, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, driving without a license and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
He is currently being held at Rikers Island on bail set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. He is due back in the court on Jan. 18.
Sanders’ attorney did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.