SOUTH BRUNSWICK – South Brunswick police tracked down a suspect who fled a dispute on Aug. 13 after allegedly brandishing a gun.
At 7:30 p.m., police received a 911 call of a dispute on Pierson Street in which a male allegedly showed a handgun, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department. The caller reported the suspect, along with three other people, allegedly fled the area in a grey Volkswagen Passat, police said.
Officer Bryan Garrison reportedly observed the Volkswagen with four occupants on Northumberland Way. He followed the vehicle onto Major Road. Officers Mike Leung and Gerry Sarno, along with Sgt. Mike Kuchma, caught up to Garrison on Kingston Lane where they conducted a high risk motor vehicle stop, police said.
After the occupants were detained, Officer Martin Halmi reportedly recovered five 38-caliber bullets from the front seat passenger area of the vehicle, but no weapon, according to police. Officers retraced the route the Volkswagen had taken after Garrison had spotted it. The officers recovered a loaded Taurus 38 model black handgun in the grass off Major Road near Falcongate Drive, according to the statement. The handgun was loaded and included hollow point ammunition.
Detectives determined that the occupants of the car had reportedly been in a physical altercation with an individual on Pierson Street. During the dispute, the front passenger of the car, a 20-year-old male from Piscataway, allegedly pulled up his shirt and displayed the handgun in his waist. The group all got into the Volkswagen and fled. Upon spotting the officer, the suspect reportedly threw the gun out of the vehicle, according to the statement.
The suspect was charged with possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of hollow point bullets, hindering apprehension, and possession of ammunition without a firearms ID card. He was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center pending his first court appearance, as of press time.
Chief Raymond Hayducka credited the excellent police work with taking the gun off the street and making a quick arrest.
“In less than 10 minutes from when the woman called 911, officers were able to locate the vehicle, take the suspect into custody and recover the firearm. That is only possible with great officers and teamwork. Officer Garrison showed great skill in monitoring the suspect vehicle while awaiting further backup. His quick observation of the suspect vehicle was key to catching this suspect,” Hayducka said in the statement. “The suspect showed no concern for the public when he threw the loaded handgun out on the grass near an apartment complex filled with kids. If not for the diligent work of the officers retracing the vehicle’s path, this case could have turned tragic.”