Julian Asaph Dale, 21, of Capricorn Drive, Hillsborough, has been charged with trying to buy a handgun and ammunition illegally.
On Monday, July 11, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office received information that Mr. Dale was trying to make arrangements to buy a handgun and 100 rounds of ammunition through the internet.
After making contact with Mr. Dale, an undercover detective made arrangements to deliver the handgun and ammunition to him at a pre-determined secluded parking lot.
On Wednesday, detectives from the prosecutor’s office and Hillsborough and Bridgewater township police set up surveillance around a phony transaction.
At about 10:45 a.m., the surveillance team saw a white man fitting Mr. Dale’s description driving a gray Honda Civic. After parking his vehicle, police said, Mr. Dale walked to the pre-determined location and retrieved a cardboard box containing an inoperable handgun and ammunition.
As Mr. Dale was returning to his vehicle with the box, detectives approached him, and he was arrested without incident.
Mr. Dale was charged with 2nd degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Bail was set by Judge Robert Reed at $100,000 cash or bond.
