Crime & Safety

Loaded Gun, Marijuana Found Inside Car In Cranford

Two Jersey City men and a juvenile were arrested after police found a loaded 9mm SCCY semi-automatic handgun​​ in Cranford, police report.

CRANFORD, NJ — A loaded 9mm SCCY semi-automatic handgun and marijuana were found inside a car in Cranford leading to the arrests of two Jersey City men and a juvenile, police report.

On May 21 at around 12:25 a.m., a 2015 Chevrolet was spotted speeding through the parking lot of a Jackson Drive establishment. Officer Timothy Handy conducted a traffic stop and during the investigation found a loaded 9mm handgun and marijuana inside the car.

Sterlin J. Smith, 19, of Jersey City was charged with possession of a handgun, possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia.

Find out what's happening in Cranfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Derrick Lee Jr., 19, Jersey City, and a 16-year-old juvenile were charged with possession of marijuana (under 50g) and possession of paraphernalia.

Smith was processed and released on a summons following a judicial review. Lee Jr. was processed and released on a summons. Both are scheduled to appear in Union County Superior Court. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending an appearance in Union County Family Court.

Find out what's happening in Cranfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“Anytime we take a handgun off of the street we know we are undoubtedly preventing a future violent crime," said Cranford Police Chief James Wozniak. "Officer Handy’s actions in this incident were the result of good, proactive, street-level enforcement.”

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.