Belleville Police Find Gun In ‘Nervous’ Driver’s Car: Authorities

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville police arrested an East Orange man last month after finding a metal bat and a .22 caliber handgun in his car during a traffic stop, authorities say.

According to the Belleville Police Department, officers allegedly saw a vehicle traveling south on Franklin Avenue with a defective right headlight and taillight around 2:19 a.m. on March 13.

After pulling over the driver, William Velez, 30, of East Orange, who was allegedly “mumbling and acting nervous,” the officers saw a metal bat within his reach. Out of concern for their safety, the officers asked Velez to step out of the car. When he opened the door, the officers saw a handgun lying on the driver’s side floor.

The officers took Velez into custody, finding a .22 caliber handgun with five hollow point bullets and an empty casing, authorities said.

Police charged Velez with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow point bullets and a violation of a certain persons prohibited from carrying firearms.