Somerset County Man Charged For Assault Weapon Possession

A Somerset County man was one of two arrested last week for the possession of an AR-15 assault weapon.

According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office:

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano and North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti announce the arrest of Cheo Amilcar Billups, age 21, of Second Place, Plainfield, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Soriano states that on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at approximately 1:04 a.m. Officer Jesus Medina of the North Plainfield Police Department observed 2 individuals walking in the middle of Watchung Avenue. Officer Medina exited his patrol vehicle and approached the 2 individuals who ran and hid behind a dumpster.

The officer ordered them to come out from behind the dumpster; however, the individuals fled the area on foot. While pursing one of the individuals, later identified as Cheo Amilcar Billups, defendant Billups discarded an AR-15 assault weapon onto the street. Officer Medina also observed the 2nd individual to be in possession of long firearm.

As the foot pursuit continued and the suspects split into different directions, Officer Medina was assisted by Officer Rick Dow and defendant Billups was apprehended in Plainfield just over the North Plainfield municipal boundary. Defendant Billups was in possession of fully loaded high capacity magazine for the AR-15.

With the assistance of the Plainfield Police and the South Plainfield K-9 Unit a search of the area was conducted for the 2nd individual. The individual was not found however, a 12 gauge shotgun was recovered on Pearl Street in the immediate area of flight that the second individual had taken.

Defendant Billups was lodged in the Somerset County Jail and bail has been set at $75,000 cash or bond by the Honorable Paul W. Armstrong, J.S.C.

Defendant Billups has been charged with Unlawful Possession of an Assault Weapon, 2nd Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, 2nd Degree, Possession of a High Capacity Magazine, 4th Degree.

Prosecutor Soriano and Chief Parenti state that the investigation is continuing regarding the identity and whereabouts of the second individual who was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt. Anyone having information is asked to contact the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2937 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip line at 1-888-577-8477.