Paterson police seize 18 firearms in series of operations over 28 days
By Jonathan Greene
Published: October 27, 2023
Over the span of 28 days, the Paterson Police, in collaboration with various units from the New Jersey State Police, has taken a total of 18 firearms off the streets in a series of operations.
“There is outstanding police work being done every day in this city by Paterson Police Officers and our State and County partners,” said Isa Abbassi, state-appointed head of the Paterson Police Department. “Thanks to their dedicated and vigilant work, eighteen firearms were taken off of the streets and eighteen tragedies averted. If you choose to carry an illegal gun in Paterson, you will be caught.”
Abbassi said the most recent case occurred on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Police noticed a vehicle that fit the description of one involved in a shooting earlier in the month. Suspect struck a police vehicle and ran.
Officers gave him chase and arrested a juvenile suspect who had allegedly tossed a firearm while running from them. Police recovered a handgun and an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle that was stolen out of Virgina. The youth was charged with resisting arrest, escape, receiving stolen property, possession of a handgun, firearms possession by a minor and possession of a high capacity.
Also, on Mondy, police with help from state troopers arrested a suspect carrying a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Six other firearms were seized in an active investigation, police said.
Other incidents in which police seized weapons are as follows:
- On October 20, detectives with the Paterson Police Department Street Crimes Unit were conducting surveillance when they spotted a man retrieve a handgun from a trash can in the vicinity. The suspect was arrested after a brief foot chase, during which detectives saw him throw the weapon. A 9mm semi-automatic handgun was retrieved from the scene.
- On October 16, Street Crimes detectives were following a car that was reported stolen and attempted to stop it when the vehicle crashed into their police vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle took off before crashing into cars at a red light and coming to a stop. When detectives went to apprehend the driver, they noticed a .22 caliber firearm in the vehicle, and upon searching the vehicle they found an additional 9mm caliber semi-automatic handgun under the driver’s seat. Two males, one of which is a juvenile, were arrested out of the vehicle.
- On October 15, patrol officers were dispatched on reports of a robbery with a firearm. When they arrived, they found one of the suspects on the ground and a victim pointed out a semi-automatic handgun on the street. The robbery suspect was arrested and charged.
- On October 7, Paterson Police Department detectives were out with members of the NJSP Violent and Organized Crime North Bureau with the NJSP Aviation Unit overhead. They observed three suspicious males who ran when they saw law enforcement approaching. The three were later located and arrested, and two semi-automatic handguns were recovered.
- On October 3, Narcotics Division detectives were conducting surveillance in an area known for drug activity. A group of males began to run when officers approached. The officers noticed one juvenile grab at his waist band and appear to throw a firearm. Detectives found the semi-automatic firearm, which was stolen out of Bergen County. The juvenile was arrested.
- On September 29, detectives were with the Paterson Police Street Crimes Unit when they observed an individual who appeared to be in possession of a firearm. They approached him and advised him he was being detained. They found a semi-automatic handgun that had been stolen out of Virginia in his possession. That same day, members of the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit, assisted by members of other units of the Violent and Organized Crime Control North Bureau, approached a driver they observed as acting suspiciously. They found a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun in his possession and arrested him.