The police broke up a sidewalk dice game and seized a semi-automatic handgun on Godwin Avenue on Saturday night, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Police said a 17-year-old boy had the weapon on his waistband. He tried to hide it when detectives arrived to break up the group on Godwin Avenue and Summer Street at around 8:15 p.m. He tried to walk away from the intersection, but was detained by police.
The .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun seized from the boy was reported stolen out of North Carolina, police said.
Police said the boy was charged with weapons offenses and is being held at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court hearing.
The recovered weapon is being submitted to the New Jersey State Police Lab for examination.