Bowling Green Police Division stopped a car for an expired registration Wednesday, and ended up arresting the driver for having a weapon while under a disability.
James Roland Murphy, 62, of Temperance, Michigan, was stopped around 6:46 p.m., near the intersection of East Wooster Street and Dunbridge Road, due to his vehicle’s registration that expired last year.
Murphy told police he did not have a license, but produced a Michigan ID card. His license had been suspended in Michigan due to tickets. A records check also showed that Murphy had been denied a firearms or explosives permit earlier this year. Murphy reportedly told police there was a gun in the vehicle’s trunk.
While doing a vehicle inventory, police found a case containing a Ruger .22 caliber revolver, a cylinder separated from the gun with four unspent rounds and one spent round, an open package with 39 cartridges, and a plastic bag with 3.13 grams of marijuana. Next to the case was an open package of 500 cartridges, with 400 remaining.
Murphy reportedly told police he bought the gun from his son. Dispatch stated that the Ruger was reported stolen by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. However, after dispatch spoke with the sheriff’s office about the gun, it appeared to be a different gun – even though the serial number is the same.
Murphy reportedly has prior convictions including four felony convictions for controlled substances, several misdemeanor assault convictions, and misdemeanor domestic violence convictions.
An assistant Wood County prosecutor told police that Murphy cannot legally possess the firearm due to felony convictions.
Murphy was arrested for having a weapon under disability, and was transported to the Wood County Jail. He was also charged with having an expired registration, driving under suspension, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
