Man With Stolen Gun, Hollow Point Bullets Arrested In Branchburg: Cops

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A Branchburg man was charged after police said he had a stolen gun with hollowpoint bullets in a lunch box, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald

On July 21 at about 6:40 a.m., Branchburg Township Police went to a home on Burnt Mills Road for a report of a verbal dispute.

Police met with Jorge L. Mercado, 24, of Branchburg, in the driveway of the home and asked him to remain in the driveway while the officer met with the caller inside, said McDonald.

While inside, the person said a verbal dispute had happened earlier with Mercado. The officer was shown a handgun which was in plain view, belonging to Mercado, in an open lunch box on the kitchen table, said McDonald.

The gun was loaded with a large capacity ammunition magazine which had hollow point bullets. A National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check of the firearm through Somerset County Communications Center found that that the gun had been reported stolen in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, said McDonald.

Mercado was also found to be prohibited from possessing a firearm. The officer then back outside to speak with Mercado who had run away on foot, according to the report.

A search of the area with the help of more Branchburg Officers was unsuccessful.

At about 3:50 p.m. Branchburg Police Officers returned to Burnt Mills Road where they found Mercado hiding inside the home. Mercado was arrested without incident, according to the report.

A search of Mercado's car found a fake check that had been stolen from a company which he is not affiliated with, said police.

Mercado was charged with:

• second-degree certain persons prohibited from possessing a firearm
• third-degree receiving stolen property
• third-degree theft
• fourth-degree possession of hollow point bullets
• fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine
• fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law
• disorderly persons harassment

Mercado was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Branchburg Township Police Department at 908-526-3830 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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