A Hardin County teen was arrested on a gun charge Wednesday night in Russells Point just before 8:30.
Washington Township Police were patrolling Madison Avenue near Lincoln Boulevard when they conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a turn signal violation.
Officers made contact with the driver, Patrick Phalen, 18, of Alger, and observed him to be overly nervous.
Phalen consented to a search of his vehicle and stated there was nothing illegal inside.
During the search, authorities located a loaded 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat.
Phalen initially denied the gun belonged to him, but eventually claimed ownership of the firearm and said he had it for protection due to being shot at twice in the last week.
He was placed under arrest and transported to the Logan County Jail.
Phalen was charged with improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.
Additional charges were sent to the prosecutor’s office for their review.
