Handgun, Armor-Piercing Bullets Found In Vehicle, 2 Charged: Brick Police

BRICK, NJ — Three people were arrested after a handgun loaded with body armor-piercing bullets and heroin and cocaine packaged for sale were found in a vehicle pulled over by Brick Township Street Crimes detectives on Friday, police said.

Kiana Craig, 20, of Brick, and Desiree Ruffino, 25, of Tuckerton, along with a juvenile whom police did not identify, were arrested about 8:30 p.m. following the motor vehicle stop, Sgt. Jim Kelly said.

Detectives with the Street Crimes Unit were investigating suspicious activity at the Maple Leaf Apartment Complex and pulled over a vehicle near Maple Avenue and Herbertsville Road, Kelly said.

A search of the vehicle turned up a Glock 17 handgun that was loaded with a 30-round high-capacity magazine containing hollow-point bullets, Kelly said. A second magazine that was found was loaded with a mixture of rounds, some of which were armor-piercing, he said.

In addition to the gun and ammunition, detectives seized heroin, cocaine and crack that were packaged for resale, drug paraphernalia and knives, Kelly said. Craig and Ruffino face multiple charges, he said.

Craig and Ruffino were charged with distribution of heroin, cocaine, and crack; three counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS); possession of drug paraphernalia; obstructing justice; possession of prohibited ammunition; possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense; possession of a large-capacity magazine; unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of weapons, Kelly said.

Ruffino also was charged with several motor vehicle summonses, including operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, driving while suspended, fictitious plates, possession of a CDS in a motor vehicle, and other moving violations.

Detectives seized the vehicle and three cellular phones, and Craig and Ruffino were taken to the Ocean County Jail.

Kelly said the juvenile was arrested said further information "is being withheld due to their status as a minor."

"Chief James Riccio commends the Street Crimes Unit for taking another illegal gun off the street, and for their diligent work in the face of such dangerous circumstances," Kelly said.

Note: This article has been updated to correct that the juvenile has not yet been charged. Patch regrets the error.

Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters here, or download our app to have breaking news alerts sent right to your phone. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.