Cops: Unlicensed driver had drugs, weapons

Three men who were driving a car in Elmont without a front license plate and a registration sticker face multiple charges after Nassau County police allegedly found them with a semiautomatic handgun, marijuana and cocaine, the Fifth Squad said Friday.

Officers said they stopped the 2002 Chrysler traveling north on Meacham Avenue at about 12:57 a.m. because it did not have a front plate or a registration sticker.

The driver, Roderick Scott, 28, of 760 Eldert Lane, Brooklyn, told police he did not have a license and the car was not registered, according to a news release.

Police said in the release they noticed a zippered plastic bag with a white powdery substance in the open center console. Also, a front-seat passenger, William Smalls, 26, of 590 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, had in his possession a small, plastic bag containing marijuana, the release said.

Further investigation revealed a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun, four .380-caliber loose ammunition and a large quantity of cocaine in the car, police said.

Also, a rear passenger, Jeffery Bethea, 23, of 600 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, was found to have a sandwich bag with a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine.

All three were arrested, police said.

Scott is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license and several vehicle and traffic violations.

Smalls is being charged with criminal possession of marijuana, and Bethea is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Each is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.