LINDEN, NJ — A Linden man was arrested early Monday after police found him carrying a compact assault rifle with a high-capacity drum magazine.
Officers from the Linden Police Department were assisting Roselle police investigating a report of shots fired near the 500 block of East St. George Avenue shortly before 2 a.m. on May 25.
During the investigation, officers observed two men dressed in black clothing and wearing ski masks walking north on Clark Street.
One of the individuals was carrying a black backpack.
Officers stopped the men in the parking lot of 30 Burgers to conduct an investigation.
As officers questioned them, one individual, later identified as Kayvon Branch, 25, of Linden, fled west on East St. George Avenue.
Officers pursued Branch through nearby yards and took him into custody in the 1100 block of Walnut Street.
Police recovered the backpack allegedly carried by Branch.
Inside, officers found a compact assault rifle equipped with a high-capacity drum magazine loaded with hollow-point ammunition.
The second individual was released without charges.
Branch was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree possession of a large-capacity magazine, possession of hollow-point ammunition, obstruction, and resisting arrest.
He was remanded to the Essex County Jail pending a scheduled appearance in Superior Court.
“We remain committed to reducing violent crime and removing illegal weapons from our streets,” said Linden Police Chief David Hart.
“This weapon posed a significant threat to public safety, and our streets are safer today because of the courageous and decisive actions of our Officers in making this arrest.”
