Newark police arrested a Pennsylvania man who was allegedly in possession of a handgun while driving on a city street.
The incident occurred on Christmas night. The Newark Police Department sent an officer to pull over the suspect after receiving an anonymous tip that the driver of a vehicle in Newark’s West Ward had a handgun. The tipster told police that the suspect was seen with a gun while driving near the intersection of South Orange Avenue and Brookdale Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.
Newark police later stopped the suspect’s vehicle in the West Ward after reportedly observing him commit a traffic offense.
When police officers moved toward the car, they allegedly saw the suspect throw an object into the vehicle’s rear seats. A later search of the motor vehicle allegedly turned up a loaded .45-caliber automatic handgun.
When police reportedly discovered the handgun, they placed the 31-year-old suspect under arrest. The suspect, who lives in Easton, Pennsylvania, was subsequently charged with multiple weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon. He was also cited for various traffic violations.
If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the most serious charges of illegal handgun possession, he faces significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), anyone caught possessing a handgun without a valid license or permit can be charged with a second degree felony. A conviction for second degree handgun possession could lead to a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.
Newark police are still actively investigating the suspect. Anyone who has information about this handgun possession incident should contact the Newark Police Department’s Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS or 877-NWK-GUNS.
For more information about this case, go to the NJ.com article entitled “Pa. Man Caught Carrying Loaded Handgun in Newark, Police Say.”
