Video footage reveals that the NYPD apprehended a man who was sleeping in a Brooklyn subway station and was easily identified as someone who was already known to them. On further investigation, the police discovered that he had a loaded gun visibly protruding from his waistband.
According to an NYPD spokesperson, Lawrence Costa, aged 45, was apprehended at Myrtle Avenue and Broadway station in Bed-Stuy around 6:40 a.m. on Sunday. The officers who were patrolling the area noticed a black firearm in plain view, leading to his arrest.
As officers approached the subway stairs, bodycam footage revealed a person sound asleep with a gun visibly sticking out of their belt, which was concealed under a bright blue and yellow hoodie.
As the suspect dozed off, an officer gently woke him up while checking in, “Are you okay? Is everything alright?” Meanwhile, another officer deftly retrieved the firearm from the suspect’s waistband and secured it, all while the suspect was being handcuffed.
The NYPD shared the arrest footage and exclaimed, “This is incredibly easy!”
NYPD Chief of Transit Michael M. Kemper reported an incident that is difficult to believe in today’s world. A man, who is 45 years old and already known to the NYPD, was found sleeping on the staircase of a Brooklyn train station this morning. What’s even more shocking is that he had an illegally possessed and loaded firearm out in the open.
Kemper remarked that it was not the best decision he had made.
The department’s knowledge about Costa was not further explained by an NYPD spokesperson.
According to the police, Costa has been charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of an illegal and loaded weapon. Thankfully, he was apprehended without any resistance.
