Loaded Gun Found, Woman Arrested During Westfield Traffic Stop: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ —A Brooklyn, NY woman was arrested after police say they found a loaded gun and spent shell casings inside a car she was driving, following a felony traffic stop on Sept. 15.

At around 6:04 p.m., a real-time alert from one of Westfield Police's license plate recognition (LPR) cameras alerted authorities that a wanted vehicle, specifically a 2008 black BMW 328i bearing a New York registration, had just entered Westfield and was driving west on E. Broad Street, said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

The vehicle was reportedly involved in a shooting that occurred less than 24-hours earlier in Jersey City and its occupant was believed to be armed, said Battiloro.

Officer Michael Pollock found the car within minutes near the intersection of Carol Road and Lynn Lane and executed a felony stop.

Its driver, Rianna Williams, 24, of Brooklyn, NY, was taken into custody at the scene without incident. She was apparently working as a driver for a food delivery service, said Battiloro.

During the investigation, officers reportedly saw a spent shell casing on the front passenger side floor of the vehicle.

A further search found a Glock 26 handgun on the floor beneath the front passenger seat. It was loaded with a single 9 mm Luger cartridge in its chamber. Additional shell casings were also visible in the vehicle, said Battiloro.

The vehicle was seized, and Williams was taken to the Westfield Police Department where she was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

Williams was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and obstructing administration of law, a disorderly persons offense, as a result of her violent actions during arrest processing.

In a fit of rage, she resisted officers’ actions to secure her and damaged departmental property in the arrest processing area, said Battiloro.

Williams was later taken to the Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing and the seized vehicle she was operating was turned over to the Jersey City Police Department for further investigation.

"LPR cameras have been an integral part of our comprehensive and coordinated response to vehicle theft," said Battiloro. "Our officers are doing an absolutely incredible job reacting and responding to the real-time information they provide, and this arrest and recovery of a loaded firearm exemplifies that yet once again."

Williams could face a sentence of between 5 and 10 years in a state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 on the second-degree crime. Fourth-degree crimes generally carry a sentence of up to 18 months in a state prison and a fine up to $10,000. Disorderly persons offenses generally carry a maximum sentence of up to 6 months in a county jail and a fine up to $1,000.

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