Abington Township Police Department Photo by James Short.
A late-night traffic stop in Abington Township has resulted in firearm-related charges against a 19-year-old driver, according to police.
Carlos Villegas, of the 7300 block of Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, is facing a felony charge stemming from the incident.
The Abington Police Department reported that at approximately 11:02 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, they were monitoring traffic near the intersection of Susquehanna Road and Highland Avenue in the Abington section of the township when they observed a blue Chevrolet sedan allegedly commit multiple traffic violations. Police said the vehicle entered a left-turn lane without signaling and then accelerated through a green light, merging into the westbound lane of Susquehanna Road without using a turn signal and cutting off another vehicle.
Police initiated a traffic stop just west of the intersection of Susquehanna Road and Jericho Road. The driver and sole occupant was identified as Villegas, 19.
According to the report, officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and observed remnants of what appeared to be smoked cigars in the center console area. Villegas was asked to exit the vehicle, at which point officers reported seeing a live 9mm round on the driver’s seat.
Police said a search of the vehicle revealed a semi-automatic handgun underneath the driver’s seat. The firearm allegedly contained a live round in the chamber and an extended magazine holding 25 additional rounds. Authorities stated the weapon did not have a serial number and was described as a “ghost gun.”
Because Villegas was 19 years old at the time of the incident, police said he was not legally eligible to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge John D. Kessler.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
