By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
LAWRENCE – A routine motor vehicle stop by police led to charges for weapons offenses to be filed against a Trenton man, including possession of illegal ammunition, according to police Detective Sgt. Joseph Lech IV.
Manuel Alicea, Jr., 21, was charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced firearm (because the serial number had been scratched off), possession of hollow point bullets and possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana at 8:47 p.m. June 23, Sgt. Lech said.
The car was stopped by a police officer in the area of the Brunswick Circle for maintenance of lamps, Sgt. Lech said. The officer detected an odor of burned marijuana, and asked for permission to search the car.
As the occupants got out of the car, the police officer conducted a “pat down” on them for his own safety, Sgt. Lech said. During the pat down on Mr. Alicea, the officer discovered a .22-caliber handgun that was loaded with ammunition. The serial number on the handgun had been scratched off.
Mr. Alicea was taken to the Mercer County Corrections Center on $75,000 bail.
