Stolen gun recovered after Cedar Rapids traffic stop

CEDAR RAPIDS - A stolen handgun was recovered after a traffic stop early Tuesday.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said police pulled over the driver of a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the area of Eighth Avenue and Sixth Street SW around 12:31 a.m. after noticing the vehicle did not have a front license plate. Police said the driver, later identified as Samalina A. Alicea, 27, stopped in the parking lot at Jim's Foods.

Police said when Alicea stopped the vehicle, a man - later identified as Jordan S. Johnson, 18 - got out of the back seat and took off toward Eighth Avenue. An officer chased Johnson and caught him at the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Seventh Street SW. Buelow said officers assisting in the foot chase recovered a handgun Johnson is suspected of discarding.

Police said the handgun had been reported as stolen from a vehicle in Hiawatha. Johnson was arrested and faces charges of trafficking in stolen weapons, carrying weapons and interference with official acts.

Alicea was arrested for driving with a suspended license, failure to display registration plate, failure to provide proof of financial liability and for a warrant related to an assault causing bodily injury charge.

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