10 guns, including assault rifles seized by YPD in 2 weeks

YOUNGSTOWN

Vice squad members have been able to combine quality and quantity so far this year.

That’s because through just two weeks, they have seized 10 guns – among them three assault rifles – while serving search warrants at homes and investigating drug activity.

However, Lt. Gerard Slattery, head of the vice squad, said the squad could go another two or three weeks without finding a gun in any of its investigations.

He said it is often luck that determines what is found during a particular investigation.

Slattery added one thing that is always sure is, wherever there are drugs, chances are there are firearms.

“Guns and drugs go hand in hand,” Slattery said.

On Jan. 6, vice officers found six guns – three apiece – at homes on Delaware and Pennsylvania avenues. Found were four semiautomatic handguns, a revolver and an AK-47 assault rifle with a 37mm grenade launcher attached that can also be used to shoot .12-gauge shotgun shells.

At a home on Idora Avenue Jan. 13, officers found two assault rifles – an M-16 and a .45-caliber Highpoint – as well as two semiautomatic handguns.

Read more about the situation in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.