Teaneck Police Find Loaded Gun Hidden In Paint Store After Arresting Wanted Man

TEANECK, NJ — An eagled-eyed Teaneck police officer spotted a wanted man on Wednesday morning leading to a chase and the recovery of a loaded gun.

Police charged Tahref Folkes with handgun possession, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice, said Teaneck Police Chief Andrew R. McGurr.

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Officer James Hoover was working an extra-duty traffic detail when he observed Folkes walking on West Englewood Avenue. Hoover knew Folkes was wanted in Englewood in connection with an assault the day before, police said.

Folks told other officers, who converged on the area.

Folkes was spotted near Westgate Road and ordered to stop.

He fled on foot, police say, scaling a fence and running alongside the rear of the Walgreens shopping complex.

Officers saw him exit the Ricciardi Brothers paint store on Teaneck Road, and entering the Metro PCS store.

Police caught him in the store and arrested him without incident.

"Officers suspected Mr. Folkes may have been carrying a weapon as he was observed clutching an object at his side as he ran," police said.

After interviews with witnesses, a review of video surveillance, and an extensive search, officers found a loaded Taurus PT 738 .380 ACP Handgun inside the Ricciardi Brothers paint store, where officers believe Folkes stashed it.

Folkes was turned over to the Englewood police to be taken to jail.

The gun will be submitted to the Bergen County Sheriff's Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation to be test fired and the results submitted to the National Integrated Ballistics Identification Network (NIBIN) to determine whether the weapon is related to any criminal episode or person.