Man Arrested After Allegedly Throwing Firearm From Vehicle During Police Chase
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DUQUESNE (KDKA) - One man has been arrested for allegedly throwing a loaded firearm from a vehicle during a police chase in Duquesne early Sunday morning.
The incident happened around 12:40 a.m. near Route 837 and Fairmont Avenue.
According to a criminal complaint, officers saw a pickup truck that had a brake light out. The driver was also swerving and not staying in his lane.
Officers tried to pull the vehicle over, but the driver sped off.
The criminal complaint says officers saw a firearm being thrown out the window of the vehicle at some point during the chase.
Eventually, the driver stopped at Catherine Street and Lowery Street then got out of the vehicle and ran.
The passenger, identified as 53-year-old Elbert J. Akins Jr., of North Versailles, was apprehended at the scene.
Officers recovered a Masterpiece Arms 9mm that they believe had been thrown from the vehicle at the corner of Fairmont Avenue and Richford Street.
Akins allegedly told officers, "I was scared, and when you chased us, I just, whoosh, threw it out."
According to City of Duquesne Police, the gun was reported stolen out of Wilkinsburg.
Akins is facing multiple charges, including receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license.
Duquesne Police say they are trying to identify the driver who ran during the incident.
Correction: City of Duquesne Police initially described the gun as "a loaded uzi-style weapon." They later specified the gun was a Masterpiece Arms 9mm.
