A city teenager was arrested early Friday evening in alleged possession of a handgun and a dozen baggies of crack cocaine, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Police crashed a street gathering on 12th Avenue and East 22nd Street at around 7:30 p.m. As the males gathered were dispersing, police observed the teen, who is a person of interest in an unrelated investigation.
Officers approached him. He gave them false information about his identity, police said. He was found in possession of a SCCY 9mm handgun and 14 baggies of crack cocaine.
The teen was charged with weapons and drug offenses. He is being held at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.