A former convict who told police he was waiting for a friend to come home from prison was arrested Wednesday for allegedly having a small .22-caliber revolver and 30 rounds of ammo in his pocket.

Roanoke Rapids Police Officer Daniel Hundley was dispatched to Powell Street on a suspicious person call shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

He saw Justin Eugene Wiggs, 29, of Madison Street, and questioned him. Wiggs, according to Captain Andy Jackson, gave Hundley his prison ID card.

A protective frisk of Wiggs led Hundley to find the small, silver gun, which was made for easy concealment, Jackson said.

The gun came back as stolen from San Diego and Hundley found Wiigs had 30 rounds of ammo.

Jackson said Wiggs told Hundley he needed the weapon for protection and told him he was waiting on Powell Street for a friend who was being released from prison.

Hundley charged Wiggs with possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Wiggs has previous convictions of felony indecent exposure, carrying a concealed weapon and operating a motor vehicle with no license.

He was jailed on $10,000 bond and has an August 10 court date.