Police Officer Matthew Peters was honored with the 106th Precinct Cop of the Month award for April at last week’s Community Council meeting for his arrest of four individuals in possession of a loaded semi-automatic handgun, according to Deputy Inspector Joseph Courtesis, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct.On Saturday, April 17, at 9:30 p.m., the 106th Precinct received several 911 calls of a large dispute at 134th Street and 105th Avenue in South Richmond Hill. Police Officer Matthew Peters and his partner were dispatched to the location.
On arrival at the scene, the officers observed a large group of males surrounding a parked white Toyota Camry creating a loud commotion. Upon spotting the officers, the individuals in the Toyota started to drive away and the group of males who had surrounded the vehicle started to disburse.
Peters and his partner followed and car and pulled it over on 105th Avenue. As they approached the stopped vehicle they observed that it was occupied by four males who appeared nervous and evasive. At this time, Officer Peters and his partner ordered the occupants out of the vehicle.
Peering into the Toyota the officers observed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the floor in the rear of the vehicle, said Courtesis. The inspector said the four males, whose ages ranged from 15 to 20 years of age, were placed under arrest for possession of the loaded firearm.
“The actions of Officer Peters and his partner not only took the loaded semi-automatic firearm off the street, but based on our intelligence we believe that they most certainly prevented a shooting and most likely a homicide at that location,” said Courtesis.
