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Travis Vanterpool-Gordon, 22, of Stamford, was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of a hallucinogen, criminal possession of a gun and interfering with police following a search on Tuesday around 10:30 p.m., according to Capt. Richard Conklin.
Officers in the Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad received word that Vanterpool-Gordon, described as a black male with dreadlocks, 5-foot-9, was at Hatchfield Park off Perry Street with a gun, Conklin said.
Squad member conducted surveillance of the park and spotted him sitting under the gazebo on a picnic table wearing an orange backpack, Conklin said.
When he saw officers approaching he put the backpack under a different table and sat on top of another table, he said.
Once officers reached Vanterpool-Gordon, he was put in handcuffs, for safety, and searched, as well as the backpack, Conklin said.
"He began yelling at the officers that they didn't have a right to search the backpack and for a woman to film the encounter on her cell phone," Conklin said.
As the officers searched the backpack, Vanterpool-Gordon took off running in handcuffs but was tackled a short distance away.
Inside the backpack, police found a CLERKE 1 5-shot, 32 caliber Smith and Wesson along with two small bags of crack cocaine with one weighing 1.1 grams and the other .01 gram, as well as a single MDMA or Ecstasy pill stamped with the word "Porsche," inside the backpack, Conklin said.
Vanterpool-Gordon is being held on a $150,000 court appearance bond.
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