PATERSON – Paterson Police Department Officer in Charge Isa Abbassi today announced that with Monday night’s arrest of a juvenile male, a total of 18 firearms have been taken off the streets of Paterson in the past 28 days. The arrests were made by members of the Paterson Police Department as well as the New Jersey State Police’s Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit and Weapons Trafficking North Unit.
“There is outstanding police work being done every day in this city by Paterson Police Officers and our State and County partners,” said Officer in Charge Abbassi. “Thanks to their dedicated and vigilant work, eighteen firearms were taken off of the streets and eighteen tragedies averted. If you choose to carry an illegal gun in Paterson, you will be caught.”
The most recent arrest occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday, when detectives in PPD’s Street Crimes Unit noticed a vehicle that fit the description of one from a shooting earlier in October. The suspect’s vehicle then struck a Paterson Police Department vehicle, and the occupants ran from the vehicle as officers ran after them. One of the suspects, identified as a juvenile, was seen throwing a firearm and was later caught after a foot chase. He has been charged with resisting arrest, escape, receiving stolen property, possession of a handgun, firearms possession by a minor and possession of a high capacity. A semi-automatic handgun and an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle, which had been stolen out of Virginia, were both recovered by detectives.
Also on Monday, members of the Paterson Police Department along with the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit and Weapons Trafficking North Unit were conducting surveillance when they noticed a suspect carrying a firearm. He was found to be in possession of a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and was arrested without incident.
On October 20, detectives with the Paterson Police Department Street Crimes Unit were conducting surveillance when they spotted a man retrieve a handgun from a trash can in the vicinity. The suspect was arrested after a brief foot chase, during which detectives saw him throw the weapon. A 9mm semi-automatic handgun was retrieved from the scene.
On October 16, Street Crimes detectives were following a car that was reported stolen and attempted to stop it when the vehicle crashed into their police vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle took off before crashing into cars at a red light and coming to a stop. When detectives went to apprehend the driver, they noticed a .22 caliber firearm in the vehicle, and upon searching the vehicle they found an additional 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun under the driver’s seat. Two males, one of which is a juvenile, were arrested out of the vehicle.
On October 15, patrol officers were dispatched on reports of a robbery with a firearm. When they arrived, they found one of the suspects on the ground and a victim pointed out a semi-automatic handgun on the street. The robbery suspect was arrested and charged.
On October 7, Paterson Police Department detectives were out with members of the NJSP Violent and Organized Crime North Bureau with the NJSP Aviation Unit overhead. They observed three suspicious males who ran when they saw law enforcement approaching. The three were later located and arrested, and two semi-automatic handguns were recovered.
On October 3, Narcotics Division detectives were conducting surveillance in an area known for drug activity. A group of males began to run when officers approached. The officers noticed one juvenile grab at his waist band and appear to throw a firearm. Detectives found the semi-automatic firearm, which was stolen out of Bergen County. The juvenile was arrested.
On September 29, detectives were with the Paterson Police Street Crimes Unit when they observed an individual who appeared to be in possession of a firearm. They approached him and advised him he was being detained. They found a semi-automatic handgun that had been stolen out of Virginia in his possession. That same day, members of the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit, assisted by members of other units of the Violent and Organized Crime Control North Bureau, approached a driver they observed as acting suspiciously. They found a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his possession and arrested him.
In addition to these street arrests, six additional firearms were seized in connection to an active investigation.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
All of these cases are being prosecuted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
