A routine traffic stop in Cranford led to the seizure of a stolen handgun, distribution-level narcotics and prescription pills, resulting in multiple felony charges against three Essex County men, police said.
CRANFORD, NJ — A traffic stop for an equipment violation in Cranford ended with the arrest of three Essex County men after officers allegedly found a stolen loaded handgun, distribution-level narcotics and prescription pills inside their vehicle.
According to the Cranford Police Department, officers stopped a 2016 Hyundai at approximately 8:14 p.m. Thursday on Centennial Avenue near Grant Street.
During the investigation, officers discovered a large quantity of marijuana, prescription pills and a loaded .40-caliber Glock 23 handgun inside the vehicle, police said.
The handgun was loaded with 13 rounds of hollow-point ammunition. Investigators later determined the firearm had been reported stolen in North Carolina.
The vehicle’s three occupants were taken into custody without incident.
Police identified the driver as 22-year-old Markeith Leverett of Orange, New Jersey. Passengers were identified as 18-year-old Yazmir Holloway of Newark and 23-year-old Isaiah Singleton of Newark.
All three were charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, third-degree receiving stolen property, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point ammunition, fourth-degree possession of a large-capacity magazine, fourth-degree possession of a weapon during a controlled dangerous substance offense, fourth-degree possession of marijuana, second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and fourth-degree possession of prescription pills.
Singleton and Holloway were also charged with second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms.
Police said Leverett, Holloway and Singleton were lodged in the Union County Jail pending detention hearings.
The charges are allegations, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Points
- Cranford police recovered a stolen Glock handgun loaded with 13 hollow-point rounds during a traffic stop.
- Officers also allegedly found distribution-level marijuana and prescription pills inside the vehicle.
- Three Essex County men face multiple firearms and narcotics charges.
