Newark New Jersey police recently arrested a Louisiana man who allegedly had a loaded gun in his car.
According to authorities, the suspect was driving near Madison Avenue and South 18th Avenue in Newark NJ when he ran through a stop sign. Members of the Newark Police Department Firearms Interdiction Team were on patrol in the area when they reportedly saw the suspect commit the traffic infraction.
Newark police officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle and approached him. One of the officers observed a passenger attempt to place a bag under the backseat. The bag was open and reportedly contained a face mask, as well as a black bandana.
Police asked the 24-year-old driver, who is from Louisiana, to step out of the vehicle. When the suspect exited the car, police officers allegedly saw a 9-mm automatic handgun hidden beneath his leg.
The suspect was then placed under arrest. He has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.
Although the suspect is from Louisiana, he faces severe penalties under the NJ Criminal Code. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, anyone who is found in possession of a prohibited weapon such as a handgun, assault firearm, or shotgun can be charged with a third degree felony. A conviction on third degree illegal handgun possession charges could lead to a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information about this case, access NJ.com article entitled “Traffic Stop Leads to Weapons Arrest in Newark.”
