Bloomfield Cops Arrest Essex County Man With Allegedly Stolen Handgun

Bloomfield police arrested a 22-year-old Irvington man on Tuesday morning after finding an allegedly stolen handgun in his car after a short chase.

According to the Bloomfield Police Department, the incident took place around 3:52 a.m., when an officer on patrol saw a Beige Buick traveling west on Newark Avenue.

The vehicle was reportedly missing a taillight, prompting the officer to attempt to pull the motorist over, but he allegedly continued driving on several streets, eventually coming to a stop at a dead end street.

At that point, the driver – later identified as Nijee Leverett – attempted to flee the car on foot, and was apprehended by the officer shortly afterwards, police said.

Backup officers arriving on the scene reportedly found a loaded, 9 mm handgun inside the Buick that was reported stolen, police stated.

Authorities transported Leverett to police headquarters and charged him with Eluding Police, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Resisting Arrest by Flight. He was also found to have an open warrant out of Maplewood.

His bail was set at $50,000.