Carmel Cops Find Stun Gun During Traffic Stop

A 21-year-old Mahopac man is facing a misdemeanor charge after police found a stun gun in the vehicle he was driving, according to officials.

Sgt. Michael Nagle of the Carmel Police Department stopped Louis Prokos at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. He had "observed a vehicle traveling west on East Lake Boulevard, tailgating and swerving out of the lane," authorities said in a statement.

"A traffic stop was conducted and the driver advised the officer that he knew the person in the vehicle in front of him and was fooling around," police say. "The officer conducted a driver’s license check while interviewing the driver and observed an electronic stun gun in the pocket of the driver’s side door."

Prokos reportedly told Nagle he was carrying the gun "to protect himself from bears when he is out hiking." He is facing a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Authorities released the defendant pending an April 9 appearance in Carmel Justice Court.

Editor's note: Carmel Police provided this information. It does not indicate a conviction.