Westchester Man Found With Stash Of Illegal Weapons: DA

ELMSFORD, NY — A Westchester County man was indicted by a grand jury after being accused of having illegal weapons and gun paraphernalia that were found in his car and home.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said Tuesday that Hani Saleh, 47, of Elmsford, was arraigned Friday for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, eight counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, five counts of criminal possession of a firearm and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, all felonies, and two vehicle and traffic violations.

Prosecutors said that, around 10:30 a.m. Oct. 25, Saleh was found to have a semi-automatic firearm and a large capacity ammunition feeding device, also known as an extended magazine, containing 10 .40-caliber rounds of ammunition. They were found under the driver’s seat of his car.

Authorities said he had no permit to legally purchase or possess firearms in New York.

White Plains police apprehended Saleh after he was observed around White Plains driving his car, which was covered in writing and images, including nearly a dozen swastikas. The car had forged license plates, police said.

Following his arrest, law enforcement received a court order that temporarily removes firearms from any person who poses a risk of harming themselves or others. With the order, officers seized from Saleh’s home in Elmsford an additional rifle, three-semi-automatic pistols, six extended magazines — five of which were loaded — and a silencer.

Rocah commended federal and local law enforcement for swiftly apprehending the man.

“This is an example of how New York’s strong gun safety laws can keep our communities safe by permitting law enforcement and prosecutors to take action when weapons are in the hands of individuals who should not have them,” she said.

After Saleh was arrested in October, he was sent to the Westchester County Jail. He made a bail application and posted $50,000 cash bail.

Prosecutors requested Tuesday increased bail to $150,000 or he be sent back to jail.

Citing Saleh’s willful and persistent failure to appear in court leading up to his arraignment and posing a significant flight risk, the court set bail at $100,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $750,000 partially secured bond at 10 percent.

White Plains Public Safety, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation.