Seat Belt Stop Leads Kenly Police To Three Concealed Guns

KENLY, N.C. – A traffic stop for an alleged seat belt violation led Kenly Police to three concealed firearms, suspected drugs and the arrests of two Princeton men.

The stop was conducted Thursday night, Aug. 13 by Officer M. Reed and Detective Sgt. K. Taylor after police reportedly observed a seat belt violation.

Kenly Police Chief James Ayers said officers developed probable cause during the stop to search the vehicle.

The search reportedly uncovered three concealed firearms and a suspected controlled substance. Police said one of the firearms had an altered or removed serial number.

Antonio Anaruma, 18, of Princeton, was arrested and charged with felony altering or removing a gun serial number, three counts of carrying a concealed gun, simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and failure to wear a seat belt as the driver.

Ladarius Daquan Smith, 19, of Princeton, was charged with felony altering or removing a gun serial number, three counts of carrying a concealed gun, simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance and failure to wear a seat belt as a rear-seat passenger.

Both men were taken before a magistrate and received $20,000 secured bonds.

Police said four juveniles were also inside the vehicle at the time of the stop.

Juvenile petitions will be filed against all four in connection with the investigation, according to Chief Ayers. Their identities were not released because of their ages.

Major A. Dixon and Officer J. Snead also assisted with the investigation.