Gun, Drugs, Money Confiscated In Arrest: Cranford Cops

CRANFORD, NJ - A 23-year-old Irvington man in possession of money, drugs, a handgun and anti-personnel bullets was arrested after a traffic stop on Feb. 22, according to the Cranford Police Department.

According to authorities, Detective William Pietrucha was conducting traffic enforcement when he noticed the 2017 Mazda being driven carelessly, on Springfield Avenue near North Union Avenue, around 1:09 p.m.

Pietrucha conducted a motor vehicle stop and after an investigation on scene, arrested the driver, Shawn Mcleod for suspected marijuana and a large sum of cash found in his possession, police said.

During a search of the vehicle, Pietrucha then discovered a loaded 9mm handgun with hollow-point ammunition. Hollow-point bullets expands on impact to almost three times its size. All expanding ammunition falls under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and is illegal to possess or transfer in most cases.

Mcleod was subsequently charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow-point bullets, possession of under (50g) of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

He was processed and remanded to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing.

“This arrest marks the second gun arrest from a motor vehicle stop we’ve had in the past eight days.” Chief Ryan Greco said.

Chief Greco went on to praise Pietrucha’s efforts.

“This is just another example of the everyday dangers our officers are exposed to,” he said.

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