A city man in possession of a loaded handgun led police officers on a chase through Beech Street late Saturday night, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Daryl Rodriguez, 23-year-old, has been charged with several weapons offenses, receiving stolen property, and obstructing a governmental function.
Rodriguez was observed walking at the intersection of Oak and Beech streets at around 10:40 p.m. As police approached him, he tried to hide a large handgun magazine that was protruding from his sweatshirt pocket.
Police said he began to flee on foot. Police chased him through Beech Street. He allegedly discarded a handgun in front of 100 Beech Street and kept running. Police eventually arrested him in the backyard of a residence on Summer Street.
Police recovered a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition. Police said the weapon was stolen out of Englewood. Seized weapon is being sent to the New Jersey State Police Ballistics Laboratory for analysis.
Rodriguez is being held at the Passaic County Jail.