EAST BRUNSWICK — Police arrested a 16-year-old township male on a weapons charge after he allegedly brought a handgun to the Brunswick Square Mall on Jan. 6.
According to police, a concerned citizen observed the teenager carrying what appeared to be a handgun outside the Route 18 mall around 8:49 p.m. and brought it to the attention of Patrolman James Angermeier, who was working a security detail at the mall. The suspect, who did not threaten or point the handgun at the witness, was observed getting into a vehicle occupied by two other males.
Angermeier contacted additional police units and provided them with a description of the suspect as well as the vehicle. Officers responded to the area and Patrolman Charles Bobal observed the suspect vehicle on Rues Lane crossing over Route 18. Bobal initiated a motor vehicle stop as additional police units arrived. He had all three occupants exit the vehicle.
The backseat passenger, who matched the description of the suspect, was found to be in possession of a handgun and was taken into custody without incident, police said. The 16-year-old was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and released to his mother. The other two males were released after it was determined that they did not have any knowledge that the suspect possessed the handgun.
Police determined that the suspect had taken the handgun from a lockbox inside his residence. The box was locked, but the teenager found the key and took the handgun, carrying it inside his jacket pocket, police said. The gun was not loaded at the time of the incident.