#Westport CT– On 09/23/2018 at approximately 5:30pm, Officer Ruta Pratt observed a vehicle traveling on Elm Street with no registration plate displayed. Officer Pratt initiated a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Violet Lane and found the vehicle bore an expired Rhode Island temporary registration, which was later determined to be fraudulent. While speaking with the occupants, she detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The operator was identified as Kirk Brodie, 28, of Bridgeport, CT who claimed ownership of the vehicle. A backup officer arrived on scene and spoke to passenger Mark Elliot, 25 of Bridgeport, CT. The officer observed Elliot was attentive to his phone during the stop and was receiving multiple text messages. The officer was able to observe one of the text messages, which appeared to be related to and consistent with narcotics sales. Officers had both men exit the vehicle.
During the course of a pat-down, a scale was located in the pocket of Elliot’s pants. Brodie was found to be in possession of a large amount of cash. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located .11 ounces of marijuana in the glove compartment and a loaded 9mm handgun in the trunk. The handgun contained a high capacity magazine. Due to Brodie’s criminal history, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Both males were taken into custody and transported to headquarters. Brodie was charged with 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Sale of Controlled Substance), 29-33 Sale, Delivery, or Transfer of Pistols or Revolvers, 29-38 Weapons in Vehicles, 29-35 Carrying Pistol or Revolver Without Permit, 53a-217c Criminal Possession of a Pistol or Revolver, 53a- 217 Criminal Possession of Firearm/Ammunition/Electronic Defense Weapon and 53-202 Possession of High Capacity Magazine. Brodie was additionally issued an infraction for Failure to Display Registration Plate and Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle. Brodie was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and was transported to Norwalk Court for arraignment on 09/24/2018 At headquarters, officers discovered Elliot had secreted an additional .87 ounces of marijuana in his underwear. Elliott was charged with 21a-277(b) Sale of Controlled Substance, 53a-48 Conspiracy to Commit (Sale of Controlled Substance) and 21a-267 Possession Drug Paraphernalia. He was held in lieu of $20,000 bond.
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