Man Driving While Impaired by Drugs Found with Loaded Handgun

ALBANY, NY – An Albany man who was found asleep at the wheel on North Manning Boulevard Saturday morning was also found to be in possession of a loaded handgun.

On Saturday, May 6, 2023 around 4:45 a.m., officers responded to the area of North Manning Boulevard and Third Street for reports of a driver unresponsive at the wheel. Upon arrival, officers discovered 33-year-old Tariq Royal asleep at the wheel and began to make attempts to wake him up.

Royal eventually woke and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended and taken into custody. During the investigation, a loaded .22 caliber handgun was recovered from Royal’s vehicle. It was also determined that he was operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs.

Royal has been charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2^nd, one count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2^nd, one count of Resisting Arrest, one count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 1^st. He was also cited for several violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.

He was arraigned Saturday morning in Albany City Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Jail.

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