Police: Man arrested for improperly carrying concealed handgun

SANDUSKY — Police arrested a Toledo man Wednesday after they allegedly found him concealing a handgun during a traffic stop.Elijah Ballez, 30, of the 900 block of Willow Ave., Toledo, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a fourth-degree felony.Just after 2 a.m., Sandusky police officers helped Cedar Point police with a traffic stop on Cedar Point Drive after they found a handgun in a car they pulled over, according to a Sandusky police report.Cedar Point police pulled the car over for suspicious activity after it reportedly drove at a slow speed and made multiple U-turns.When they spoke to the driver, Ballez, he told them he had a firearm inside the car. He allegedly admitted to not having a permit for the weapon when asked.They took him into custody as they searched his car. Officers found two loaded magazines in the armrest compartment and a handgun, which wasn't loaded, in the glove box, the report stated.Officers asked why he had a firearm with him. He allegedly said he thought he could carry a gun as long as it wasn't loaded, according to the report.Police noticed a number of peculiar items inside Ballez's car including, handcuffs, a light bar, gas mask, a large can of mace and a bag of survival tools, according to the report.When asked about the items in the car, Ballez reportedly said he "always wanted to be a police officer," the report stated.They took him to the Erie County Jail and is being held on a $1,000 bond.More Sandusky police articles Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegister