Newark New Jersey police arrested a man who allegedly tossed a gun out of his car while being chased by patrol officers.
According to authorities, Newark police officers saw a silver BMW with tinted windows speeding shortly after midnight on Hobson Street in Newark, NJ. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the driver allegedly sped off.
The 37-year-old suspect, who lives in Irvington NJ, allegedly slowed down the car at one point so that he could throw a handgun out of the passenger window. According to law enforcement, Newark police officers later found the gun: a loaded, defaced .40-caliber handgun.
The chase eventually ended when the suspect pulled over. Police officers placed the suspect under arrest at that time.
The suspect was issued a number of summonses for traffic violations, including speeding.
Additionally, the suspect was charged with several weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced weapon, and possession of hollow-point bullets. The suspect also faces a certain persons offense because he is allegedly prohibited from being in possession of a weapon.
If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the weapons charges, he could face significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, anyone who illegally possesses a prohibited firearm such as a handgun can be charged with a second degree felony. A conviction on second degree illegal handgun possession charges could result in a sentence of 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “Man Arrested After Police Say He Tried to Ditch Gun in Newark.”
