BEDFORD – On Friday, May 24, Bedford Police Department Officer Nichola Crulo was on patrol at 19th Street and Washington Avenue when he noticed a black Toyota SUV traveling south on Washington Avenue.
The vehicle had one operable headlight. Officer Crulo stopped the vehicle near the intersection of 22nd Street and Washington Avenue.
The driver was 40-year-old Justin Dunn, of Bloomington. There was a female passenger in the SUV.
After advising them of the reason for the traffic stop, the officer asked for Dunn’s license and registration and asked the female passenger for her identification. But she didn’t have any on her.
Officer Crulo said the female passenger was nervous.
Dunn told police he was transported the female to Transition on G Street.
The officer wrote Dunn a warrant for the non-working headlight and then requested permission to search the SUV, which Dunn denied.
When asked to step out of the vehicle, Dunn and the female refused to let police pat them down. Dunn and the female got into a verbal argument.
Officer Michael Bell arrived with his canine partner. The dog alerted on the driver’s side of the vehicle. In the vehicle, Officer Christian Anderson found two plastic baggies containing crystal meth. One was found under the driver’s side floorboard, and one concealed under the dash.
Officer Taylor Daughtery found a .380acp Smith & Wesson Bodyguard handgun loaded with a ten-round magazine. The gun was hidden between the sunroof cover and the sunroof. Police learned the handgun had been stolen in Johnson County. Police then found a second magazine loaded with one round.
Dunn would not admit the gun was his, but his passenger said Dunn had recently purchased the handgun and was able to describe the weapon.
Dunn was arrested on charges of possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The female passenger was released. Bland’s Wrecker Service towed the vehicle.
