Newark New Jersey police recently arrested a teenager who allegedly flashed an illegal handgun while showing it off to a friend.
Members of the Newark Police Department Firearms Interdiction Team were on patrol near North 13th Street and 6th Avenue when they reportedly saw two teenagers standing in the street.
According to law enforcement, the 16-year-old suspect saw the police officers and attempted to hide a 25-caliber handgun in his waistband. When the officers approached the suspect and told him to drop the gun, he allegedly tried to run away.
A subsequent chase led police through several nearby backyards. At some point during the chase, the suspect allegedly threw the handgun over a brick wall. Police officers eventually caught up to the suspect and placed him under arrest.
Police said that the suspect exclaimed “It’s not even loaded” when the officers caught him.
The suspect, who is from Newark NJ, has been charged with several criminal offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice.
Depending on whether the teen suspect is charged as an adult or a juvenile, he could be subject to severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, anyone who illegally possesses a handgun can be charged with a third degree felony. A conviction on third degree handgun possession charges could result in a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
After being arrested and processed, the suspect was taken to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey.
For further information about this case, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Newark Teen Arrested After Showing Off Gun, Police Say.”