Lawrence Costa, 45, was arrested early Sunday morning after being found asleep in a Brooklyn subway station with a loaded gun clearly visible, according to the NYPD.
The arrest happened around 6:40 a.m. at the Myrtle Avenue and Broadway station in Bed-Stuy. Costa, who is well-known to the NYPD, was discovered by officers patrolling the station.
Bodycam footage released by the NYPD shows the officers approaching Costa as he slept on the subway stairs. The loaded black firearm was sticking out of his waistband beneath a bright blue and yellow hoodie.
An officer nudges Costa awake and then retrieves the gun while another officer handcuffs him.
The NYPD shared the arrest footage, noting, “It doesn’t get much easier than this!” NYPD Chief of Transit Michael M. Kemper took to social media to comment, labeling the incident as a “definitely not the best decision” on Costa’s part. Kemper noted that Costa’s choice to fall asleep with a visible, illegal firearm was not a wise one.
The NYPD spokesperson did not provide further details on why Costa was known to the department. Costa now faces multiple charges related to the illegal and loaded firearm. He was taken into custody without any incidents.