After receiving calls about shots being fired from a vehicle on Elm Grove Drive, Columbia police officers arrested a 25-year-old man Thursday on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Columbia resident Brock Anthony Griffith fired two shots into the air from a handgun from the passenger side of a blue Jeep Cherokee with no license plates, according to a [Columbia Police Department news release](http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/view.php?id=1145).
“The car was stopped on Elm Grove when Griffith fired the shots,” CPD spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said. “The car then continued driving down the road (until) officers stopped the vehicle for a traffic stop.”
According to a CPD news release, officers in the area observed the vehicle traveling southbound on Brown Station Road. CPD conducted a traffic stop at 8:45 p.m. on Paris Road.
When his vehicle was stopped, Griffith took off running. Officers were able to catch up with him and took him into custody.
“(The arrest) happened within two minutes of the call being dispatched,” CPD spokesman Joe Bernhard. “This is another shining example of great police work by the officers at CPD. Thanks to the citizens that reported the incidents and provided information that led to the quick arrests.”
According to the news release, officers found a loaded handgun in Griffith’s pants pocket. CPD discovered that the firearm had been stolen from a CPD case in 2009.
“There had been no trace of (the gun) until now,” Stroer said.
CPD located a shell casing from the handgun on the 3200 block of Elm Grove Drive. No one was injured during the shooting.
Griffith had a set of digital scales on his person at the time of the arrest.
Griffith was arrested on charges of felony receiving stolen property, resisting or interfering with an arrest, possession of a concealed firearm without permission, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia, totaling $50,500 bond.
No information has been released on the driver.