Traffic stop leads to narcotics, firearm, and Serious Violent Felon being taken off the street

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers were on routine patrol when they conducted a traffic stop which yielded narcotics, a firearm, and the arrest of a Serious Violent Felon and one other suspect.

Just after 3:30 p.m. on 04/11/2019, a Northwest District officer with the IMPD was on routine patrol when he ran a license plate. The plate came back to a different vehicle than what it was attached to. The officer stopped the vehicle in the 900 block of W 25^th St to investigate. The driver, later identified as James Saucerman (37), presented an Indiana ID card which came back as suspended. The passenger, Paul Stewart, also had an ID card that was suspended. Additional officers responded to assist. It was revealed that Saucerman had an active warrant, so officers placed him in handcuffs at that time.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers allegedly located a loaded firearm in the center console that had obliterated serial numbers. Officers also allegedly located marijuana and suspected methamphetamine in the center console. While officers were conducting their investigation, they learned that Stewart was a Serious Violent Felon. Saucerman at one point began feeling ill, so Medics responded and transported him to Eskenazi holding for evaluation.

Stewart was arrested and charged with Serious Violent Felon in possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, dealing and possession of marijuana, and dealing and possession of methamphetamine by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO).

Saucerman was arrested and was charged with carry a handgun without a license, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, dealing and possession of marijuana, and dealing and possession of methamphetamine by the MCPO.

A Northwest District Gun Liaison Officer responded to the scene to collect the firearm. The narcotics and firearm were later transported to the property room to be held as evidence.

“Gun liaison” officers are specially-trained to more effectively collect crime gun evidence for forensic analysis. The officers are key to the success of Indianapolis’ Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC). Introduced to the community earlier this week, CGIC is an interagency collaboration that puts officers in direct contact with local and federal law enforcement partners. The CGIC model focuses on the collection and real-time analysis of crime gun evidence from homicides and non-fatal shootings using forensic technologies to generate investigative leads, allowing IMPD to more effectively target the most violent offenders and their sources of crime guns. This crackdown on the illegal possession of firearms by Serious Violent Felons is part of the City’s community-focused violence reduction strategy.

Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards.

A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.