City man with loaded handgun arrested on East 23rd Street
By Jayed Rahman
Published: July 7, 2015
Police officers investigating a report of a suspicious person with a handgun on East 23rd Street and 12th Avenue early Tuesday morning ended up arresting an armed 21-year-old, said police director Jerry Speziale.
Vanif Gossett was arrested on gun possession, resisting arrest, three motor vehicle violations, said the director. Gossett was recklessly approaching police officers in his black vehicle almost hitting police officer Robert Shirey’s interceptor.
Officers William Herrmann, Brian Culmone, and Shirey were dispatched to the area at about 3:28 a.m. to investigate.
Shirey, who was dispatched as a backup, observed a black vehicle approaching erratically on his rearview mirror. Police officers quickly stopped Gossett and conducted a motor vehicle stop.
Gossett was removed from the vehicle for officers’ safety. As the suspect was getting out of the vehicle a black handgun was spotted protruding from his pants pocket by Culmone.
Culmone and Herrmann, who were on routine patrol prior to responding to the report of a gunman, attempted to arrest Gossett, but he resisted. With Shirey’s assistance the three officers took Gossett into custody.
“Quick and alert police officers in this situation averted a potentially dangerous incident being in harm’s way,” said Speziale.
Police recovered a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver from Gossett. He was transported to city police lockup awaiting arraignment.
“Another dangerous weapon off our streets and I am thankful my officers were not injured,” said the director.