Man Found With Gun In Secaucus Warehouse Area; Ran From Cops: Police

SECAUCUS, NJ — At 8 p.m. this past Friday night, Feb. 17, Secaucus Police responded to the area of 100 Enterprise Avenue for a call of a suspicious person on the property, which was closed and not open to the public at that time of night.

This specific commercial area of Secaucus has previously been the scene of a variety of thefts and burglaries, said police.

Officers responded and were directed by the reporting party to a man, later identified as Michael Valentine, 18, of East Orange who was wearing a ski mask.

He was observed entering a white Kia Optima.

Detectives attempted to stop Valentine, but he disregarded their attempt and fled the area on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, officers and detectives struggled to get control of Valentine as he was trying to get his into his pockets, but he was ultimately placed under arrest, said police.

During a search of his person, a loaded .25 caliber Tangoglio Giuseppe Model GT26 semi-automatic handgun was found in his jacket pocket, said police. A further search of his person revealed two knives and a variety of tools, often used during the commission of a burglary.

Police say Valentine burglarized a tractor trailer on the property of 100 Enterprise Avenue. Also, it was discovered that the 2016 Kia Optima that Valentine was trying to enter was reported stolen from the Nutley Kia dealership.

“I am extremely thankful that nobody was injured during this arrest, especially during the struggle with this armed burglar in the dark of night, since it could have turned deadly in an instant," said Police Chief Dennis Miller.

Valentine was charged with Obstruction by Flight [2C:29-1a], Armed Burglary [2C:18-2b(1)], Possession of Burglar Tools [2C:5-5a(2)], Resisting Arrest [2C:29-2a(1)], Unlawful Possession of a Handgun [2C:39-5B(1)], Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose 2C:39 4A(1), Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition [2C:39-3F(1)], Possession of Handgun Ammunition [2C:58-3.3B] and Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7a].

He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.