Route 295 Chase Yields Gun, Drug Charges For Man, 2 Teens From Lawrence: Police

HAMILTON, NJ — A man and two teens from Lawrence Township are facing drug and weapons charges after they were arrested early Saturday after they tried to flee a motor vehicle stop, New Jersey State Police said Saturday.

Jonathan Martinez, 24; Brian Rodriguez, 18, and a 16-year-old male were on Route 295 in a Subaru Impreza when troopers saw the car traveling at "a high rate of speed" southbound near milepost 59.9, State Police said.

The troopers, in a marked car, activated their lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the car but the 16-year-old refused to stop, they said, and continued at a high rate of speed. He lost control of the car, which struck a traffic barrier and became disabled near Interchange 7 on the New Jersey Turnpike, police said.

State police arrested the three at the scene, police said. No one was injured, police said.

After the three were arrested, troopers discovered two handguns loaded with hollow point bullets, marijuana, heroin, and drug paraphernalia inside the car, police said.

All three were charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, certain person not to possess a firearm, possession of hollow point bullets, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and distribution of paraphernalia, police said.

The 16-year-old driver also was charged with driving while intoxicated, police said.

Rodriguez and Martinez are being held at the Burlington County Jail on a no-bail warrant, police said.

The 16-year-old male was lodged in the Burlington County Youth Detention Center, also on a no bail warrant, they said.

Photos via New Jersey State Police