Paterson police arrest five people, seize handgun in Auburn Street drug raid
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 21, 2020
The police arrested five people, seized drugs, and recovered a handgun during a raid at an apartment on Auburn Street, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Jack Raines, 45, of Paterson; Alquan Montgomery, 29, of Paterson; Michael Robinson, 37, of Wayne; Thomas Figueroa, 54, of Passaic City; and Gabriel Abatangelo, 26, of Clifton, were arrested on Monday in the bust at 83 Auburn Street.
Police said Raines and Montgomery, who live in apartment four at 83 Auburn Street, were the alleged drug dealers. Robinson, Figueroa, and Abatangelo were their alleged customers.
Raines and Montgomery were each charged with 18 drug and weapon offenses, police said. Raines was also charged with resisting arrest.
Robinson and Abatangelo were charged with drug possession. Figueroa was charged with loitering to commit a drug offense.
Detectives observed a drug transaction at 83 Auburn Street. Police followed the suspected buyer out of the area. Robinson was stopped and found in possession of 8 vials of crack cocaine.
Detectives observed a second drug transaction. Police followed the suspected buyer out of the area. Abatangelo was stopped and had 15 vials of crack cocaine.
Police observed a third drug transaction and tried to arrest the alleged seller. Raines fled into the building with detectives chasing behind him.
Police ordered him to stop, but he ran into the apartment. Inside the apartment police found Montgomery. Police seized a Ruger P-90 45 caliber and confiscated $1,169 in cash from the apartment.
Detectives also confiscated 3 hollow point ammunition and 200 glassine envelopes of heroin.
Police transported all the suspects to headquarters for processing.