On April 16, 2022, the Watervliet Police Department investigated the alleged unlawful possession of a firearm by a resident of 747 Broadway.

At the conclusion of a search warrant executed by the Watervliet Police Department, in conjunction with the Colonie Police Department’s Special Services Team, four illegally possessed, untraceable 9mm and .45 caliber “ghost guns” (picture attached), were recovered.

Watervliet Police Department charged Harry Brust, a 34-year-old male from Watervliet (photo attached left) with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd Degree (Class C Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3^rd Degree (Class D Felony) and four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4^th Degree (Class A Misdemeanor). Brust was arraigned in Watervliet City Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.

In addition, Joseph Williamson, a 38-year-old male from Watervliet (photo attached right) was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd Degree (Class C Felony) and four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4^th Degree (Class A Misdemeanor). Williamson was arraigned in Watervliet City Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.

“Harry Brust is a convicted felon and is aware he is prohibited from possessing any firearm. To avoid this mandate, Brust resorted to the illegal purchase of untraceable ‘ghost guns’ which have become a growing threat throughout many communities,” said Watervliet Police Chief Joseph Centanni. “The Watervliet Police Department, along with our law enforcement partners, will never stop the dangerous and complex work to eliminate gun violence from our streets,” concluded Centanni.