Newark NJ police have arrested a local man who allegedly had a handgun while driving on a city street.
According to law enforcement, the 28-year-old suspect was spotted driving in the area of South 19th Street and South Orange Avenue. Someone reportedly saw the suspect holding a handgun as he drove through the neighborhood.
The tipster called the Newark Police Department and gave police a description of the suspect’s car, as well as a partial license plate number.
Police officers quickly responded to the area and conducted surveillance. The police officers dispatched to the scene included detectives with the Cease Fire, Gang Enforcement and Newark Violence Reduction Initiative.
Police found the suspect’s vehicle and reportedly noticed the suspect remove an item from his waistband. The suspect then allegedly placed the item at his feet inside the vehicle.
Newark police ordered the suspect and his passengers to get out of the car. According to police at the scene, the suspect appeared to be nervous as he exited the vehicle.
After everyone exited the car, a detective shined a flashlight inside the vehicle and allegedly saw the butt of a gun sticking out from the driver’s side seat.
The suspect reportedly told officers that the gun belonged to him.
Police placed the suspect under arrest and charged him with unlawful possession of a handgun, in addition to other weapons offenses.
The investigation into the case is active and ongoing. Anyone who has information about the suspect is asked to call the Newark Police Department’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-695-8477.
For more information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “Tip Leads to Arrest of Armed Man in Newark, Police Say.”