Cranford Police Discover Pistol Inside Vehicle Following Traffic Stop

A Newark man was arrested on March 13 after police discovered a pistol in his vehicle following a motor vehicle stop for erratic driving.

According to Cranford Police, Patrolman Spencer Durkin stopped a black, 1998 Ford at 3:23 a.m. on Centennial Avenue at Raritan Road for erratic driving. During the investigation at the scene, the driver, identified as Joseph Webb, 45, of Newark, attempted to drive away but was stopped and apprehended several blocks away.

Patrolman Durkin located a semi-automatic handgun — later determined to be a starter pistol loaded with blank 9mm rounds — inside the vehicle. Webb was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and eluding police. The suspect was processed and held in lieu of $10,000 bail, pending a court appearance in Union County Superior Court.