Gun Discovered by Officer on Patrol in Levittown

A black handgun, duct tape, screwdrivers and a pair of tan work gloves were discovered by police when they stopped to question a man who claimed he was waiting for a friend in Levittown’s Violetwood section before dawn on Monday.

A Bristol Township patrol officer spotted Joseph Piazza, 33, of Vista Road, kneeling down, remaining still in front of a parked truck in the driveway of a home in the 100 block of Violetwood Drive, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The officer shined a car-mounted spotlight in the area. Piazza then walk down the driveway and told the patrolman he was waiting for his friend, court documents said. The officer reported that the 33-year-old was wearing the tan gloves and was dressed in gray wool hat and a black jacket.

As the officer awaited backup, the suspect momentarily walked away and came back without his gloves, police said.

Officers discovered the handgun, duct tape, screwdrivers and the gloves in front of the truck where the suspect was crouching. A pill bottle with marijuana inside and a sticker with the suspect’s name on it was also found, according to the affidavit.

The homeowner, who is also the owner of a local business, talked with police and said he did not give permission to Piazza to be on his property, according to a criminal complaint.

Piazza is charged with possessing and instrument of crime with intent, possession of a weapon, loitering and prowling at night time, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, court records show.

The 33-year-old was arraigned before Judge Joanne Kline and currently sits in Bucks County prison on 10 percent of $100,000 bail.