East Lyme — Police arrested two men on Friday after a witness found a handgun following a routine traffic stop. A second handgun was later found.

Brian Melendez, 28, of New Haven was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, interfering with an officer, criminal possession of a handgun and second-degree reckless endangerment. He was held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear to appear at New London Superior Court on Monday.

Lawrence Grayson, 28, of West Haven was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment. He posted his $5,000 bail is scheduled to appear at New London Superior Court on Sept. 16.

Police pulled over Melendez for a traffic violation outside of East Lyme High School. After police had left the scene, a witness reported a found .45 caliber handgun in the area, which police later learned Grayson had thrown out of the vehicle before officers reached the two men.

Police returned to the scene and found Melendez, a convicted felon, alone in the car and detained him. Grayson was detained after officers found him on foot. Officers conducted their own search of the area and found a loaded .9mm handgun in the grass. The two men were then taken into custody.

k.arnold@theday.com