Traffic Stop Yields Loaded Pistol, Forged Checks, Cash: NYSP

NEWBURGH, NY — A traffic stop in the town of Newburgh led to accusations of having illegal weapons and stolen property.

The New York State Police said, shortly after 2:30 p.m. Friday, a trooper said he saw a 2015 BMW-328i traveling on Interstate 84 in the town of Newburgh that was in violation of numerous vehicle and traffic laws, as well as having a fraudulent Georgia temporary license plate.

Police said the driver was identified as Richie D. Guillaume, 22, of Bloomfield, Ontario County. His passengers were Rayon Thomas, 25, of Paterson, New Jersey; Gerson A. Polanco, 25, of Passaic, New Jersey; Francisco Tejada-Vargas, 24, Sleepy Hollow, and Jaquil T. Tucker, 22, of Warwick.

According to authorities, a search of the car yielded a loaded Glock 27 pistol, multiple forged checks, stolen debit cards, $10,000 cash, a stolen United States Postal Service key and numerous bank receipts for cashing forged checks totaling more than $50,000.

Guillaume was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a forged instrument and two counts of first-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Polanco, Thomas and Tejada-Vargas were charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of first-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Tucker was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of first-degree possession of a forged instrument, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

All five were arraigned and sent to the Orange County Jail on $7,000 bail, $20,000 insurance bond and $40,000 partially secured bond.

State police were assisted by the U.S. Postal Service investigators.