ATLANTIC CITY, NJ- A Philadelphia man was apprehended by the Atlantic City Police Department after receiving information about an individual in possession of a handgun.
Sergeant Garry Stowe received a tip on June 11, 2023, at 3:53 PM, regarding a man carrying a firearm in the beach block of New York Avenue. Officers promptly responded to the scene and discovered the suspect leaning into a vehicle through an open door. Several other individuals were present, both inside and outside the car.
Officer Joseph Kelly Junior engaged in conversation with Jose Vega, the primary suspect of the investigation, as well as the other occupants. It was during this inquiry that Officer Kelly discovered a loaded handgun in the vehicle near Vega. Vega was taken into custody after claiming ownership of the weapon. The remaining individuals were released without charges.
Further examination revealed that the firearm in question was a ghost gun, which had been loaded with hollow-point ammunition and equipped with a high-capacity magazine.
Jose Vega, 19 years old, is a resident of Philadelphia. Vega is facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon without a serial number (ghost gun), transporting a firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity magazine, and possession of hollow-point ammunition. Vega has been remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
The public is encouraged to come forward with any information related to this incident by contacting the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5766 or anonymously submit a text message to tip411 (847411).