A fare beater was busted with a loaded gun and extended magazine with 27 bullets after cops caught him jumping a Bronx subway turnstile Tuesday night, police said — and then released without bail, court officials said.
Michael Bellamy, 22, allegedly hopped over the turnstile at the 183rd Street 4 train station around 9:45 p.m. and did not turn over his ID, according to police.
When cops handcuffed him, they found a semi-automatic 9mm Taurus handgun with an extended magazine loaded with 27 bullets, NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper posted on X.
“That’s potentially 27 victims of gun violence, all spared thanks to the diligent work of your Transit cops,” Kemper said.
“There is no place for illegal weapons in our subway system, and we’re here to stop them at the gates.”
Bellamy, of the Bronx, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and theft of service.
At his arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court, a judge released him without bail.
He has no prior arrests, cops said.
“When [we] stop someone for fare evasion the officer doesn’t necessarily have to give a summons, or make an arrest. It’s an opportunity to educate the public, too,” NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry told The Post in a statement.
“Our officers use discretion – but some have warrants for a shooting, stabbings, and sex abuse… these low level incidents do lead to bigger things – like seen here.
“Officers do have empathy, and do have compassion but we’re not showing compassion for someone walking around NYC — riding our subway system — with a weapon, that’s not happening,” said Daughtry.
