The police recovered five guns in a 24-hour span in Paterson, a city plagued by gun violence, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Nelson Hernandez, 20, of Paterson; Jameek Williams, 22, of Paterson; and Nyjohn Jackson, 19, of Paterson, were arrested on gun charges.
Police recovered:
- Glock Model 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol
- Glock Model 23 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol
- Smith & Wesson Model SD40 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol
- Hi-Point .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun
- Glock Model 43 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
Hernandez and two other men were sitting on top of a vehicle trunk drinking alcohol on Park Avenue and East 18th Street at around 6:05 p.m. on Friday. Police observed him remove a handgun from his waist and walk to a residence at 200 Park Avenue. He allegedly concealed the gun behind some fencing in front of the residence. Police recovered the Hi-Point .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun concealed from the fence area.
Police chased down a suspect on North Main and Jefferson streets at around 8:20 p.m. on Friday. Police said the suspect fled on North Main Street towards Arch Street. He dropped the Glock Model 43 9mm semi-automatic pistol and three baggies of marijuana before scaling a fence that led to Clinton Street. Police used their K-9 Unit to try to locate the suspect without success.
Williams, Jackson, and an unknown third suspect were in a stolen black Toyota SUV in the area of 17th Avenue and East 27th Street at around 9:16 p.m. on Friday. Police observed the vehicle erratically traveling on East 27th Street.
Police identified the vehicle as stolen out of Elizabeth. Police tried to conduct a stop, but the vehicle sped up from 17th Avenue onto East 25th Street.
Police began a pursuit.
Police said the suspect vehicle continued on East 25th Street hitting a parked vehicle while trying to turn onto 15th Avenue. The vehicle continued through the fencing in the front of a residence on 15th Avenue and came to a stop.
Three suspects got out of the vehicle and began to run. Police gave chase.
Williams was arrested at 600 East 27th Street.
Jackson was arrested on Broadway and East 23rd Street.
The third suspect got away, police said. Passaic County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit aided in the arrests, police said. Police are attempting to identify and arrest the third suspect.
Police seized the Glock Model 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol, Glock Model 23 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and the Smith & Wesson Model SD40 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol in the incident.
Hernandez, Williams, and Jackson are being held at the Passaic County Jail.