NORWICH - City of Norwich Police apprehended a 28-year-old man on Friday, January 9, after an investigation revealed he was in possession of a handgun and other weapons while on probation.

Following a brief struggle inside a local business, officers arrested Elijah Joyce of Norwich and recovered a handgun and ammunition inside a vehicle. Norwich Police Chief Scott Burlison said Joyce had a violent criminal history and officers resolved the situation without anyone being hurt.

According to police, when Norwich police and probation officers tried to initially contact Joyce at the local business, he attempted to create distance between himself and officers. However he was quickly subdued, taken to the ground, and handcuffed without further incident, police said.

Officers recovered a 9mm handgun and about 20 rounds of hollow-point ammunition loaded in magazines, as well as metal knuckles during the investigation, police said.

“Despite all of the potential risks involved, our officers carried out their duties flawlessly and nobody was hurt. They were faced with a situation where they had an individual with an extensive and violent criminal history,” said Burlison.

“Without knowing his true intentions, members of this police department, as well as probation, stepped up to create a safe and quick resolution. We will always protect constitutional rights of legal and responsible gun ownership, but we will aggressively pursue illegal firearms and repeat offenders to protect the safety of our community,” he said.

Norwich police detectives developed information indicating Joyce may have been in possession of the illegal firearm while on active probation, police said. Possessing the weapons while under court supervision violated the conditions of his probation.

Chenango County Probation filed a violation of probation, and Joyce was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail pending further court proceedings.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and additional criminal charges are expected to be filed.