Traffic stop produces weapon in Perrysburg Township

A 23-year-old Perrysburg man, who had his own routine for when he was pulled over by police, is facing two charges after authorities found weapons in his shorts pocket and a loaded handgun in his car.

Matthew Packner was driving south on Oregon Road on Monday in Perrysburg Township when a police officer noticed the silver Pontiac Grand Am didn’t have a front license plate and was not properly registered, according to a police report released today.

When the officer pulled Mr. Packner over, the Perrysburg man placed his hands on the steering wheel.

The officer asked if he was armed.

“No sir, that is just a practice I follow when I get pulled over by a police officer,” Mr. Packner replied.

Mr. Packner admitted to having a boxcutter and butteryfly knife in his pocket when the officer asked if he had any weapons.

The officer asked Mr. Packner to get out of his car and get into the back of the police car.

Once inside the police car, Mr. Packner told the officer “to be honest with you, there is a handgun in the vehicle.”

“(Mr. Packner) advised it was because he goes to East Toledo a lot,” the officer wrote in a police report.

The officer found the loaded 380-caliber, semi-automatic pistol in a black nylon holster. He also discovered a switchblade knife with a maroon-colored handle in the driver’s side door pocket.

Mr. Packner was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and with having a fictitious registration, both misdemeanors, according to Perrysburg Municipal Court records.

He was arraigned in court earlier this week; he is scheduled to meet with his public defender on July 16. He does not have another court appearance scheduled.

Contact Gabrielle Russon at grusson@theblade.com or 419-351-0361 or on Twitter @GabrielleRusson.