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Great Neck resident Matthew Bonanno, 47, was arraigned on a 53-count indictment for criminal possession of weapons found in Tuckahoe in August.
Bonanno is charged with 11 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon related to assault rifles found in his possession; 38 counts of third-degree grand larceny related to illegal high-capacity magazines and ammunition that were seized and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon for possessing metal knuckles.
He appeared in Westchester County Court on Tuesday, Sept. 10 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bonanno has been detained since his arrest. This week, an appeals court lowered his bail to $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond. His bail was initially set at more than twice that. It is unclear if Bonanno has posted the updated bail.
Police were contacted by acquaintances of the plastic surgeon on Monday, Aug. 12, who overheard the threats against Bonanno's estranged wife and her family, and when they intervened, he was found with an illegal Glock and an arsenal in his BMW.
Officers responded to Growler’s Beer Bistro, where they found Bonanno, who was armed, prompting them to search his vehicle, where they found:
- Five fully-loaded assault rifles with high-capacity magazines;
- Three handguns;
- 29 high-capacity loaded magazines;
- More than 1,600 rounds of ammunition;
- Stun gun;
- Heavy ballistic body armor;
- Ballistic helmet;
- Handcuffs;
- Full head cover face masks;
- Multiple military-style knives;
- Four brass knuckles;
- Pepper spray fogger;
- Scopes, binoculars and other paraphernalia.
Investigators also recovered weapons at a residence of Bonanno's in Mount Pleasant and from his Long Island home.
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