Police: Schenectady teen fled traffic stop, possessed loaded handgun

SCHENECTADY – A man who fled from a vehicle after a traffic stop possessed a loaded handgun, according to police.

Andre Branch-el, 19, of Schenectady, was charged early Saturday after a brief foot chase, police said in a news statement.

Just after 4 a.m., police observed a vehicle in the area of Crane Street and Chrisler Avenue that matched the description from an earlier assault call. One of the car’s headlights wasn’t working.

Officers attempted to stop the driver as the vehicle turned onto Maplewood Avenue. The occupants got out of the vehicle as police converged.

The officers told the occupants to stop, but they fled. Two of the occupants were detained after a brief foot pursuit and struggle, police said.

Branch-el possessed a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun that was inside of a black satchel he carried, police said.

Branch-el was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, possessing a loaded firearm, obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree, and resisting arrest.

The other person who fled was released without charges.