East Providence police arrest two for driving, handling a gun under the influence

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The East Providence Police Department said that two people were arrested for mishandling a firearm while under the influence.

The department said that an officer pulled over a vehicle that was driving erratically on July 23.

Inside the car were Pablo David Bonilla Sosa and Karen Patricia Gomez Bonilla, both 32-years-old and from New York.

The vehicle had recent damage and what appeared to be a bullet hole in the front windshield while both driver and passenger appeared to be impaired.

The windshield that appeared to have a bullet hole through it. (East Providence Police Department)

The department said that the officer saw a semi-automatic Smith and Wesson pistol on the driver’s side floor.

The recovered weapon. (East Providence Police Department)

The officer ordered the Sosa out of the vehicle while Bonilla took the pistol and hid it under the the passenger seat. This caused the officer to call for back-up.

Both suspects were placed in custody and the weapon was retrieved. It was loaded and did not have a serial number.

Both suspects were charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a weapon while intoxicated, and altering the marks on a firearm, while Sosa was charged with driving under the influence.