Loaded Gun Confiscated In Barnegat Traffic Stop: Police

Barnegat police found a man unlawfully drove with a loaded handgun and drugs during a traffic stop Sunday evening, officials said. Authorities stopped Tom Ruiz II for reckless driving at the intersection of Route 72 and Route 539 at 6 p.m., according to police.

Patrolman Kyle Cranmer found a loaded Springfield XD 9mm handgun in the vehicle's center console, as well as marijuana and THC oil, the Barnegat Police Department said.

Ruiz, 44, of West Creek, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of hollow-point ammunition, certain persons not to have weapons, tampering with evidence and possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia, police said. He also received traffic summonses for reckless driving and possessing drugs in his vehicle, according to police.

Officials said they took Ruiz to Ocean County Jail.