Man Found With Loaded Gun Walking Down South Jersey Street, Authorities Say

BRIDGETON, NJ — A 19-year-old man was arrested after he was found walking down the middle of the street on Saturday with a loaded gun, the Bridgeton Police Department said.

Israel Mendez-Perez, of Bridgeton, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon-handgun, resisting arrest, illegal possession of ammo magazine, possession of a firearm without a serial number, and obstruction.

At around 5 p.m., officers were near Cohansey Street and Washington Street when they noticed a man in the middle of the road.

They stopped Mendez-Perez for not walking in the right area while crossing the street (Title 39:4-34) and told him multiple times not to put his hand in his pocket, which he repeatedly did.

During a frisk for weapons, authorities found a handgun concealed in his waistband and he began to resist arrest, according to police.

After Mendez-Perez was handcuffed, the gun was found to have a 15-round magazine and no serial number. Another 83 rounds of ammunition were found in his backpack that he was carrying.

Mendez-Perez was formally charged at the Bridgeton Police Department before he was taken to the Cumberland County Jail without conflict.

Anyone with information is asked to contact (856) 451-0033.

Anonymous information can be submitted through the bpd.tips site, authorities added.

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