HADLEY — A Hatfield man whose vehicle was stopped for speeding on River Drive Sunday night was arrested on firearms and impaired driving charges, according to Hadley Police.
Garret R. Pitts, 28, was taken into custody at 9:31 p.m. on charges of carrying a firearm while intoxicated, improper storage of a firearm, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle to endanger, speeding, and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, said Police Chief Michael Mason.
Pitts pleaded not guilty to the charges in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown on Monday and was released with conditions. He is expected back in court on Sept. 15.
Mason said Wednesday that Officer Rylan Baronas was on patrol when Pitts’ vehicle was observed, with radar, traveling 68 mph in a 40 mph zone.
The vehicle was stopped and, after a brief introduction by the officers, a handgun was observed in the cup holder, prompting them to remove all occupants from the vehicle.
The .380 RugerLCP firearm was determined to be loaded and officers safely retrieved it, Mason said.
After field sobriety tests showed that Pitts was intoxicated and he was placed under arrest, a search of the vehicle located three full magazines for the pistol, a holster and an additional 55 rounds of ammunition, Mason said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
