Georgia man arrested for alleged gun possession in Colonie

COLONIE, N.Y. (WNYT) – A man from Georgia is in custody after he allegedly had a gun in his car at Siena University.

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According to Colonie Police, officers responded to Siena University on May 1 for reports of a suspicious vehicle. Police say an unauthorized vehicle had been on campus and that someone in the vehicle had displayed a rifle.

Upon arrival, police determined the vehicle was no longer on campus. After interviewing witnesses, police say that a rifle was spotted but not displayed in a threatening or menacing manner. Police add there was no threat made to any Siena student or the campus community.

After an investigation, police located the vehicle parked and unoccupied at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites at 833 Loudon Road. Police say an AR-15 style rifle was in plain view in the front seat. Both the rifle and the attached magazine are illegal to possess under state law, according to the department.

According to Colonie Police, three suspects were located inside the hotel and taken into custody. After conducting interviews, police say Michael Sanchez, 20, from Forest Park, GA, possessed the rifle.

Sanchez was arrested and charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, and criminal possession of a firearm. He was sent to the Albany County Correctional Facility with bail set at $25,000 cash.

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The two other occupants of the vehicle were not charged with crimes.

Siena University also sent a statement to NewsChannel 13 regarding the incident:
“Following a report Friday night to Siena Public Safety of a suspicious vehicle on campus, Public Safety and Colonie Police acted immediately to identify and apprehend the individuals involved. A suspect was taken into custody off campus by the Colonie Police.

At no point during the incident was any threat made to any Siena student, or to the Siena University campus. Public Safety kept the campus updated throughout the incident in real time via the Siena Alert System.

Siena University’s Public Safety thanks the Colonie Police and the Capital District Crime Analysis Center for their swift response and assistance during this incident.”