Newark Police Recover Gun During Traffic Stop

Authorities said a routine traffic stop Thursday night in Newark's South Ward led police to discover a handgun in possession of a 28-year-old Irvington man.

Newark Police Det. Eugenio Gonzalez, a police spokesman, said detectives patrolling near S. 15th Street and Madison Avenue observed an Oldsmobile Aurora with dark-tinted windows — a violation of state law. The detectives apparently then pulled over the car. As officers approached the Aurora, one of two passengers attempted to exit, and it was then when the detectives witnessed a handgun in the car, according to Gonzalez.

Next, he said officers ordered Chris Townsend, the car's driver, and the other two people to exit the car. Townsend admitted the gun, a Talon model T200 9mm with a scratched off serial number, belonged to him.

Townsend was charged with possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a defaced firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and "several" motor vehicle summonses, according to Gonzalez.

"The men and women of this agency are doing an outstanding job day in and day out as they endeavor to provide the city's residents and visitors the best police services possible," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio in a statement.

Gonzalez said Townsend is in Essex County jail, but the spokesman did not have information about bail.

Thursday's arrest is at least the third within the past week that resulted in police recovering a gun.

, who allegedly was found with a .22 caliber handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets. On the same day, , after he apparently was found to be in possession of a gun loaded with hollow-point bullets. , 27, of Newark, after he allegedly was found with a loaded assault weapon.

— Staff reports