Newark NJ police arrested a local woman who allegedly had a loaded handgun while standing on a city street.
According to authorities, the 24-year-old suspect was part of a large group of people who were congregating near an apartment building around Stratford Place and Avon Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.
Members of the Newark Violence Reduction Initiative were on patrol in the area around 9:00 p.m. when they spotted the suspect. Police said that they saw the butt of a gun sticking out of the suspect’s pocket.
When police approached the group of people, they allegedly started to run away. A police officer chased down the suspect and ordered her to stop. She reportedly ignored their commands and continued running.
At some point during the pursuit, the suspect allegedly tossed a gun over a fence.
Police officers eventually chased down the suspect and placed her under arrest.
Newark police searched the suspect and allegedly found her in possession of a 9mm handgun. According to law enforcement, the handgun was loaded.
The suspect has been charged with several weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon.
If the suspect is convicted on the most serious handgun possession charges, she faces severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), illegal possession of a handgun can be classified as a second degree crime. A conviction for second degree handgun possession could lead to a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.
The Newark Police Department has asked for the public’s assistance with the investigation. Anyone who has information about the suspect or the alleged weapons offense should call the Newark Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-695-8477.
For more information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “Woman Tried to Ditch Gun During Newark Chase, Cops Say.”
