NYPD recovers loaded gun after attempted robbery on Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Police arrested two 26-year-old men after a firearm was found in a car in Mariners Harbor following an attempted robbery.

The incident began with an attempted drug deal gone wrong, according to a law-enforcement source.

Xavier Murphy of Pond Way in Mariners Harbor, Dejanique Hawkins of Bass Street in Meiers Corners and an unapprehended individual approached a victim on July 1 at about 10 a.m. in the 100 block of South Avenue near Arlington Place, according to the criminal complaint and police.

Murphy and the unapprehended individual asked a 51-year-old man for marijuana. The victim, a stranger to the defendants, declined to provide marijuana.

Murphy allegedly lifted his shirt to show a black gun that was in his waistband.

“Give me your weed and your cell phone,” the criminal complaint quoted Murphy as saying to the victim.

Murphy allegedly tried to punch the victim but missed his mark. Murphy and the unapprehended individual then fled and the victim called 911, according to the source.

While canvassing the area, officers spotted Murphy and Hawkins inside a gray 2007 Mercedes-Benz and conducted a car stop, according to the criminal complaint and the source.

The criminal complaint alleges that officers recovered a SAR 9 firearm loaded with 14 bullets, a mix of hollow-point and regular 9 mm rounds, including one bullet in the chamber.

The defendants do not have a license to own a firearm in the City or State of New York, according to the criminal complaint.

The defendants have been charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. Murphy faces additional charges of attempted robbery and harassment.

Hawkins has pleaded not guilty and was released with non-monetary conditions. He is due back in state Criminal Court in St. George on Aug. 19, according to public records.

Murphy is being held at Rikers Island in lieu of bail set at $225,000 bond/$75,000 cash. He is scheduled to be arraigned in state Supreme Court on July 20, according to public records.

Attorneys for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.