Police news.
Police in Cheltenham Township arrested a woman early Monday morning after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a loaded firearm and suspected cocaine, authorities said.
Lorraine Gaines, 60, of Philadelphia, is facing a felony charge stemming from the incident.
According to police, the incident occurred around 5:41 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, along Old York Road near Spring Avenue. A police officer observed a white Cadillac XT4 traveling southbound and recognized the registered owner as Lorraine Gaines, who was wanted by Cheltenham Township Police on an active arrest warrant for terroristic threats.
Police said the warrant stemmed from an earlier incident in which Gaines allegedly sent a photo of herself holding a firearm. Officers initiated a traffic stop near Old York Road and Ashbourne Road and conducted a felony stop due to the nature of the charges. Gaines complied with commands and was taken into custody without incident after her identity was confirmed.
Because Gaines was the sole occupant of the vehicle and it was stopped on a stretch of roadway without a shoulder, police arranged for the vehicle to be towed. Prior to towing, officers conducted an inventory search. While being transported to police headquarters, Gaines reportedly told officers there was a firearm inside a white bag in the vehicle, stating it did not belong to her.
During the search, police located a Glock 43 handgun inside a white bag placed in a black backpack on the front passenger seat. The firearm contained a magazine loaded with six live 9mm rounds, though no round was chambered.
At the police station, officers searched Gaines and recovered a small container from her jacket pocket holding suspected cocaine and a plastic straw with white residue. Gaines admitted to having cocaine on her person prior to the search, according to police.
Investigators later confirmed Gaines has a prior federal conviction for cocaine distribution, making her legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Police said her alleged drug possession further disqualified her from lawful gun ownership.
After being advised of her Miranda rights, Gaines reportedly acknowledged she was not permitted to possess a firearm and told officers she had obtained the gun from a friend for protection after being threatened by another individual. She also admitted to sending a photo of the firearm during that dispute.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge R. Emmett Madden.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
