LAKEWOOD, N.J. – A township man was taken into custody after two connected firearm incidents unfolded across Lakewood late Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday, authorities said. The ordeal began when officers responded to reports of an aggravated assault involving a gun, where investigators determined that a man had allegedly pointed a firearm at another person, made verbal threats, and then fled in a black vehicle.
Moments after clearing that scene, police were called to Laurel Avenue for reports of multiple gunshots just blocks away.
Officers recovered several spent shell casings, and witnesses reported seeing a black vehicle with a lone occupant driving from the area shortly before the shots were heard.
Detectives later identified the driver as 39-year-old Julio Cordongiron and determined he was involved in both incidents. Officers located the vehicle on Ocean Avenue and arrested Cordongiron without incident as he attempted to drive away. During the stop, police said he was found in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
A search warrant executed on the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded firearm, and a subsequent search of a residence linked to Cordongiron uncovered a large quantity of a controlled dangerous substance. No injuries were reported.
Cordongiron faces multiple charges including possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threats, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. He remains held at the Ocean County Jail pending court proceedings.