SEA BRIGHT – During a routine vehicle stop May 11 for an equipment violation, Sea Bright police found the occupants to be in possession of a stolen handgun, according to Sea Bright Police Chief William S. Moore.
Patrolman James McCue pulled over the vehicle carrying Ricardo Gonzalez, 18, and Dave DaSilva, 20, both of Long Branch, and Michael Clouse, 18, of Neptune at 1:18 p.m. on Ocean Avenue, said Moore.
The three men were traveling on OceanAvenue whenMcCue saw that their license plate was in the front windshield of the car instead of attached where it belonged, according to Moore.
“There was marijuana in the car, a stolen handgun and hollow-point bullets, which are illegal in New Jersey for anyone but law enforcement to possess,” said Moore.
The men were then charged with possession of a stolen handgun and possession of hollow-point bullets, according to Moore.
“The gun was reported stolen in West Long Branch,” said Moore, adding, “The report was taken by West Long Branch [police] on June 17, 1995.”
Gonzalez, DaSilva and Clouse were taken by police to the Monmouth County jail where bail was set in the amount of $5,000 for each, according to Moore.