What began as surveillance outside a hotel known for vice crimes ended with three arrests, a loaded handgun, suspected methamphetamine and multiple outstanding warrants, police said.
SECAUCUS, N.J. — A surveillance operation outside a Secaucus hotel resulted in the arrests of three people and the seizure of suspected methamphetamine, a loaded handgun and other alleged contraband, according to the Secaucus Police Department.
Detectives with the department’s Anti-Crime Unit were conducting surveillance on July 11 at the Rodeway Inn, 155 Route 3 East, when they observed a man later identified as 32-year-old Larry W. Urtarte of Paterson place a large bag into a black Ford Taurus.
Police followed the vehicle to Route 3 West and Meadowlands Parkway, where detectives conducted a traffic stop.
Investigators determined the vehicle was being operated by a rideshare driver hired to deliver the bag to an address in Newark. During a search of the bag, detectives allegedly found suspected methamphetamine.
Police said the rideshare driver was not a knowing participant in the alleged criminal activity and was released without charges.
Detectives later observed Urtarte and a woman leaving the hotel in another rideshare vehicle. Patrol officers stopped that vehicle near 1379 Paterson Plank Road and arrested Urtarte after discovering active warrants from Nassau County, New York, and Clifton.
According to police, a search of Urtarte’s bags uncovered additional suspected methamphetamine, a loaded .40-caliber Glock 22 handgun containing 15 hollow-point rounds, a stun gun and suspected GHB.
During the investigation, detectives also arrested 28-year-old Austin Latrise Brown of Kalamazoo, Michigan, after discovering an active warrant from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Police allege Brown was also found in possession of suspected methamphetamine.
A third suspect, 55-year-old Franklin Farino of Paterson, was arrested after detectives allegedly found drug paraphernalia in his possession.
Urtarte was charged with multiple offenses, including possession and distribution of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm while committing a controlled dangerous substance offense, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of a high-capacity magazine, certain persons not to possess a weapon and fugitive from justice.
Brown was charged with fugitive from justice and possession of methamphetamine.
Farino was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Urtarte and Brown were lodged in the Hudson County Jail, while Farino was released pending a court appearance.
The charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Three people were arrested following a surveillance operation at a Secaucus hotel.
- Police seized suspected methamphetamine, a loaded handgun, a stun gun and suspected GHB.
- Two suspects were jailed, while a third was released pending a court appearance.
