Two men were arrested Wednesday afternoon after deputies recovered a stolen firearm and several stolen identification cards during a traffic stop in Huntsville.
Around 4 p.m., deputies saw a gray Chevrolet Impala without a license plate parked at the gas station in Huntsville.
Law enforcement noted suspicious behavior from the two occupants before the vehicle left the lot and headed north on State Route 117.
The driver, identified as 18-year-old Christopher Bannister, of Convoy, and passenger 19-year-old Zarik Deere, of Belle Center, were stopped a short distance away.
During the stop, Bannister told deputies he had just purchased the vehicle but could not provide paperwork.
After both men consented to a search, deputies found the lower half of a Canik 9mm pistol hidden beneath the dashboard.
The firearm was later confirmed stolen out of Columbus.
Deputies also recovered the upper half of the gun, a loaded magazine, a holster, and several wallets containing IDs and debit cards belonging to other individuals.
A realistic-looking BB pistol and a license plate that did not match the vehicle were also found inside.
Bannister was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, having weapons under disability, carrying concealed weapons, and tampering with evidence.
Deere was charged with obstructing justice for lying about the presence of the firearm and helping conceal it.
Both suspects were transported to and lodged in the Logan County Jail.
