Heavy Weaponry Seized In Early-Morning Raid: Stamford Police

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford police said they seized "heavy weaponry" and ammunition during an early-morning raid at a home on Tuesday, which resulted in the arrest of two people.

Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin said the department's Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad had been investigating Quinnel Gines, 35, of Shady Lane, for several weeks.

Gines was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of an assault weapon; two counts of illegal transfer of a firearm; two counts of illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine; possession of fire enhancement; and interfering with a search warrant, according to police.

Gines' sister, Madison Middleton, 19, was also arrested and charged with interfering with a search warrant, police said.

The SPD Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad, along with the Special Response Team, K9, and Patrol units, executed search warrants for Gines and his Shady Lane home around 6 a.m. on Aug. 26, Conklin said.

Middleton exited the house and became "argumentative," Conklin said, and she was taken into custody.

Gines was seen running throughout the house, and after approximately 15 minutes, he came outside, police said.

During a search of the basement where Gines lives, officers found a Glock "41" - a .45 caliber handgun with a high-capacity magazine containing 13 rounds, police said. The handgun featured a switch, or "auto sear," that's capable of making the firearm fully automatic, Conklin explained.

Officers then found a Palmetto State Armory AR-15-style rifle with a high-capacity magazine, police said. The magazine was loaded with 17 6.8mm rounds.

Additional ammunition was also recovered, as well as camouflage-colored body armor, police noted, saying that Gines later admitted to possessing both firearms in a post-arrest interview.

Gines was issued a $150,000 bond. A Stamford Superior Court Judge approved of a "serious firearm offense" and implemented a 30 percent cash bond, Conklin said.

Middleton was given a $5,000 bond. Both arrestees are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Sept. 9.