3 Face Weapon Charges After Loaded Gun Found In Car: Nassau Police

BETHPAGE, NY — Three men were arrested on Saturday night after Nassau County police say a handgun was found in their car.

According to police, at 9:08 p.m. Saturday, officers investigated a 2010 Ford Focus with three people inside that was parked in the lot of a shopping center on Wantagh Avenue in Bethpage.

As the officers approached, police say they saw an expandable baton in the car. For safety, police say the officers ordered the three men out of the car. During a search, police say the officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in the car.

Police arrested Connor Welsh, 22, of East Meadow; Mathew Hartenstein, 23, of Brooklyn; and Joshua Portillo, 22, of East Meadow.

All three men are charged with criminal possession of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Welsh is additionally charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The three were arraigned on Sunday in First District court in Hempstead. Welsh and Portillo were ordered held on bail of $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond, which only Welsh posted. Hartenstein was ordered held on bail of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond, which was not posted.