October 11, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Trenton Police reported that Special Operations Detectives have been working diligently around the clock to get illegal guns off the street in the City. Detectives have made several arrests during several different incidents that occurred throughout the City of Trenton.

---

(Gun arrest) – Arrestee –Victor Bernard Lopez;

SCU Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop for illegally tinted windows.  During the course of the stop, Det. Balestrieri ran his gun detection K-9 on the vehicle.  The K-9 sniff indicated the presence of a firearm.  A subsequent search revealed Lopez was in possession of a Smith and Wesson, .9mm semi-automatic handgun; high capacity magazine loaded with hollow point rounds.  Lopez was found to be a certain person not to possess a handgun.    

Charges:          

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Unlawful Possession of a High Capacity Magazine 

#3:  Unlawful Possession of Hollow Point Rounds 

#4:  Certain Person not to Possess a Handgun 

#5:  Motor vehicle offense 

Property Confiscated: 

Item #1:  Smith and Wesson MP9, .9mm semi-automatic handgun [High capacity magazine loaded with hollow points] 

(Gun arrest) – Arrestee #1 –  Jaqwonn T. Darden;

VCU Detectives conducted surveillance in the area of N. Stockton Street and E. Hanover Street when they effected a motor vehicle stop. K9- Caesar conducted an exterior scent search of the vehicle and developed probable cause for a search. A systematic search of the motor vehicle was conducted, which revealed Darden was in possession of a Glock 26 .9mm semi-automatic handgun [high capacity magazine].     

Charges:          

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Unlawful Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine 

#3-4:  MV Offenses 

Property Confiscated: 

Item #1:  Glock 26 .9mm semi-automatic handgun [high capacity magazine]. 

(Gun Arrest) – Arrestee – Zyjuan Z Johnson;

Street Crimes detectives effected a motor vehicle stop for a traffic offense. Upon the stop, Det. Balestrieri conducted a K-9 sniff of the exterior of the vehicle which indicated the presence of a firearm. A subsequent search revealed Zyjuan Johnson was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with hollow point rounds.  He was subsequently arrested and charged accordingly. 

Charges:          

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Prohibited Weapons and Devices – Hollow Point rounds 

#3:  MV Offense 

Property Confiscated: 

Item 1:  Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun [loaded with hollow points]. 

(Multiple Gun Arrest)

VCU Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop for fictitious tags.  Upon further investigation, Detectives observed a large silver handgun. 

Property Confiscated: 

Item #1:  Unknown Make/Model, .45 semi-automatic handgun [Defaced] 

All three occupants were arrested and charged accordingly.  

Arrestee #1:  Akeem O Palmer;

Charges:          

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Defaced Firearm 

#3-6:  MV Offenses 

 Arrestee #2:  Albert Fagan;

 Charges:          

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Defaced Firearm 

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Defaced Firearm 

Arrestee #3: Amesa Alesha Fagan;

Charges:     

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Defaced Firearm 

 (Gun Arrest) – Arrestee #1:  Michael J Williams Jr.;

VCU Detectives executed a Search Warrant due to numerous citizen complaints.  Williams was found in possession of a Taurus .9mm semi-automatic handgun, a distributable amount of Crack-Cocaine, and $1,269.00 [seized as proceeds from illegal narcotics distribution]. Williams was found to be a certain person prohibited from possessing a handgun and ammunition. These offenses occurred within 1000’ of a school and 500’ of a park.     

Charges:          

#1:  Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

#2:  Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapons 

#3:  Certain Persons not to Possess Ammunition 

#4:  Possession of a Handgun during CDS Offense 

#5:  Fortified Dwelling 

#6:  Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine 

#7:  Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent 

#8:  Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent w/in 1000’ of a school 

#9:  Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine w/Intent w/in 500’ of a park 

#10:  Possession of CDS Paraphernalia 

Property Confiscated: 

Item #1:  Taurus .9mm semi-automatic handgun 

Item #2:  12 grams CDS Cocaine 

Item #3:  $1,269.00 U.S. Currency 

(Gun Arrest) – Arrestee #1: Richard Y Booker;

SCU and Task Force Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop for various offenses.  During the course of the stop the driver, Booker, ignored orders to comply with the investigation and attempted to flee the scene, on foot.  After a brief struggle, he was placed under arrest and was subsequently found to be in possession of a Raven Arms .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a distributable amount of CDS Cocaine [over ½ ounce] and CDS Heroin, and $794.00 U.S. currency [seized as proceeds from illegal narcotics sales].  This incident occurred within 1000’ of a school and 500’ of a park.    

Charges:       1. Unlawful Possession of a Handgun 

                                                2. Certain Persons not to Possess a Handgun 

                                                3. Possession of a Handgun during a CDS offense 

                                                4. Possession of CDS Cocaine  

                                                5. Possession of CDS Cocaine w/Intent over ½ ounce 

                                                6. Possession of CDS Heroin 

                                                7. Possession of CDS Heroin w/Intent 

                                                8. Possession of CDS w/Intent w/in 1000’ of a school 

                                                9. Possession of CDS w/Intent w/in 500’ of a park 

                                                10. Obstructing the Administration of Law 

                                                11. Resisting Arrest 

                                                12. Open alcoholic beverage in vehicle 

                                                13-16. MV Offenses 

Confiscated Property:  #1:  64 grams CDS Cocaine 

             #2:  100 grams CDS Marijuana 

                                     #3:  40 decks CDS Heroin 

                                     #4:  Raven Arms .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun #5:  $794.00     U.S. currency         

---

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

---