Schenectady police chase suspect, find gun in bathroom

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A city resident was arrested late Tuesday on gun and drug charges, charged after fleeing officers and running into a Union Street restaurant.

And while inside the Manhattan Exchange, authorities said, the suspect ditched a handgun in the ladies bathroom.

Sameer Gadwah, 20, of 1120 Albany St., was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, felonies.

Gadwah was one of three people officers approached behind some Union Street businesses. But, while officers interviewed the men, Gadwah ran. Officer Brendan Barrett followed, eventually catching Gadwah as he came out of the restaurant’s bathroom hallway.

Officers then retraced Gadwah’s steps, finding a loaded 9 mm pistol stashed in the women’s room trash can, said police spokesman officer Kevin Green, who was also on the call.

Officers also found in Gadwah’s possession a small baggie with crack cocaine, according to papers filed in court.

Gadwah was one of two people injured last May in a McClellan Street shooting, records show. He was outside when three other men pulled up in a car and got out, police said, after which the shooting broke out.

He also remains on parole until April 27, after a 2006 Schenectady drug conviction, records show. As part of his parole, state officials have confirmed, he is not to have a gun.

Besides the felonies, Gadwah faces misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.