Newark Police Arrest Man Allegedly Found with Loaded Handgun

A routine traffic stop led Newark police to arrest a 36-year-old city man Sunday night after he allegedly was found with a loaded handgun. It is the third arrest stemming from a traffic stop in the city within a week.

Det. Eugenio Gonzalez, a police spokesman, said officers patrolling near Cutler Street and 7th Avenue around 11:15 p.m. in the city's North Ward spotted a Chevrolet Trailblazer that failed to stop at a stop sign. 

When they pulled over the SUV, the officers saw a handgun tucked in the waistband of Elamin Reynolds Muhammad, a front-seat passenger, according to Gonzalez. He said Muhammad resisted officers' attempts to retrieve the 9mm Smith & Wesson, but after a brief struggle, the gun was recovered and Muhammad was arrested.

The spokesman said the gun was loaded with hollow-point bullets.

"I commend all the officers involved in arresting another individual that possessed a loaded firearm," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio in a statement. "The members of the Newark Police Department are committed in attacking all illegal activity that will disrupt the quality of life for the citizens of the city of Newark."

Gonzalez said Muhammad was charged with possession of a handgun, possession of hollow-point bullets, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated assault and resisting arrest. He said the SUV's driver, whose name was not released, was issued several vehicle summonses.

, after officers pulled over his car and allegedly found a Talon model T200 9mm. , during a traffic stop when Vega allegedly was found with a gun loaded with hollow-point bullets.

— Staff reports