Two Natchez police officers thought they were making a routine traffic stop early Monday when they pulled over a Natchez man for running a stop sign.

But after spotting a roll of duct tape, a pistol and a large amount of cash inside the car, the officers realized they were dealing with more than just a traffic fine.

A dispatcher’s report of a stolen car confirmed their suspicions, and they arrested 22-year-old Antoine Lavell Bacon, 214 Choctaw St., on charges of armed robbery, burglary, assault of a police officer, careless driving and no driver’s license.

According to police reports, Bacon allegedly broke into a woman’s home on Maple Street just after midnight Monday by kicking open the locked front door.

Using duct tape, he then tied the woman up and demanded money while threatening her with a gun.

A male friend of the victim noticed the front door open while driving by and stopped to investigate. He too was robbed at gunpoint after the suspect allegedly hit him in the head with the gun.

The suspect then escaped in the man’s 2000 Dodge Intrepid left running in the driveway and drove a few blocks before being stopped by officers at the intersection of State and Arlington streets.

Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff said both the man and woman received only minor injuries in the incident and neither required medical treatment.

Huff said authorities do not know why the woman was targeted, but an investigation is looking into whether there was a connection between the victim and Bacon.

Bacon was also charged with assaulting an officer because he allegedly punched an officer during arrest.