May 24, 2026. A routine traffic stop on the Northern State Parkway in Carle Place turned into felony weapons charges after Nassau County Police found a loaded handgun and two switchblade knives in a vehicle that was pulled over for failing to use a turn signal.
What Happened
At approximately 10:30 PM on Wednesday, May 20, Nassau County Police observed a black 2011 Chevrolet Silverado merging onto the Northern State Parkway in Carle Place without using a turn signal. Officers conducted a traffic stop.
During the stop, police recovered:
- One loaded handgun
- Two switchblade knives
The driver, Steven Raymond, 25, of Dunstable, Massachusetts, was arrested without incident.
The Charges
| Charge | Class |
|---|---|
| Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 2nd Degree | Class C felony (up to 15 years) |
| Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 4th Degree (2 counts) | Class A misdemeanor |
| Criminal Possession of a Firearm | Class E felony (up to 4 years) |
Second-degree weapons possession under New York Penal Law §265.03 is one of the most serious weapons charges in the state — a Class C violent felony carrying a mandatory minimum of 3.5 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison. The charge applies to possession of a loaded firearm outside one’s home or place of business.
Raymond was arraigned on Thursday, May 21.
Why This Matters on the Northern State
The Northern State Parkway is one of Nassau County’s most heavily patrolled corridors, running east-west through the center of the county from the Queens border to the Sagtikos State Parkway. The Carle Place stretch — near the Meadowbrook Parkway interchange — is a high-volume merge zone where NCPD frequently conducts enforcement operations.
This arrest underscores why traffic stops remain one of the most effective tools for getting illegal weapons off the road. A failed turn signal — a minor Vehicle and Traffic Law violation — led to the discovery of a loaded firearm that would otherwise have continued traveling through Nassau County.
For more on the Northern State Parkway’s enforcement and crash history, see our Northern State Parkway road guide.
Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement
This arrest came during a period of heightened enforcement across Long Island for the Memorial Day weekend. New York State Police and local agencies have deployed additional sobriety checkpoints, CITE (Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement) vehicles, and speed enforcement patrols through the holiday.
NCPD’s Second Precinct, which covers the Carle Place area, continues to prioritize weapons interdiction during routine traffic enforcement operations.
Sources: Daily Voice | LongIsland.com | Nassau County Police Department