Paterson police seize assault rifle, handgun and arrest suspects from Garfield, Hackensack
By Jonathan Greene
Published: July 31, 2020
The police seized an assault rifle and a handgun from two people out of Garfield and Hackensack on Rosa Parks Boulevard on Thursday afternoon, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Brian Rochester, 23, of Garfield, and Kaelin Ramroop, 23, of Hackensack, were each charged with marijuana possession, four weapons offenses.
Police were advised the suspects were in a vehicle on 16th Avenue and Carroll Street at around 2:55 p.m. Police quickly responded to the area and observed the suspect brandishing a short barrel assault rifle. A suspect was seen placing the weapon inside the rear passenger area of the vehicle. He then entered the vehicle. The vehicle then departed the area.
Police followed the suspect vehicle and pulled it over on Rosa Parks Boulevard and Pearl Street. Police observed the passenger reaching towards the weapon in the rear passenger area. Officers entered the vehicle and arrested both Rochester, the passenger, and the driver, Ramroop.
Detectives seized a Mossberg model 715p .22 caliber assault rifle with a high capacity magazine. A second weapon, Jimenez Arms Inc. .22 caliber handgun, was also seized from the vehicle, police said.
Police recovered 41 hollow point .22 caliber rounds.
Rochester and Ramroop are being held at the Passaic County Jail pending a court hearing.