CORTLAND, N.Y. — Investigators found several grams of crack cocaine and an unregistered semi-automatic handgun after searching an apartment Friday afternoon, according to the Cortland County Sheriff's Office.
After a short investigation into reported drug activity at an apartment at 19 Charles Street, multiple law enforcement agencies served a search warrant at the residence, including the City of Cortland Police Department tactical response unit.
As police arrived on scene, a person was seen jumping from the rear second story window of the apartment. After a brief foot chase, the man was apprehended by officers without incident in the Greenbush Street area of the city.
Aziz K. Hicks (Photo provided by Cortland County Sheriff's Office)
A second person who is a suspect in the investigation was also seen running from the area, though authorities were unable to locate the individual.
During the incident, law enforcement officials contacted St. Mary's School and asked them to the place the school on lockdown for a short period of time for precautionary reasons. At no time was anyone at the school in immediate danger, according to Lt. Todd Caufield with the sheriff's department.
As a result of the search, investigators found a loaded 9-mm semi-automatic handgun, prescription pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and packaging materials.
Aziz Karim Hicks, 34, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was arraigned in City of Cortland Court Friday evening and taken to Cortland County Jail without bail.
Hicks was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. He was due back in court today.
The investigation is continuing and investigators are following up leads on the location of the second suspect, with additional arrests pending.
