GUTTENBERG, NJ — A North Bergen man was arrested on multiple weapons charges after a traffic stop on April 14, 2026.
Police Officer Lesley Avila was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of 68th Street and Kennedy Boulevard at approximately 8:38 a.m. when she observed a Tesla traveling northbound on Kennedy Boulevard.
The driver, Javier Martinez-Moncada, 41, of North Bergen, was using his cell phone while operating the vehicle.
Avila initiated a traffic stop for the violation.
As she approached the vehicle, she noticed the driver extending his hands outside the driver’s front window.
Inside the vehicle was a female passenger, who was later identified as the registered owner of the vehicle, and a juvenile.
Police Officer Karleigh Noll arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and assisted Avila.
After collecting Martinez-Moncada’s driver’s license and documentation, officers conducted a records check.
They discovered that Martinez-Moncada had an active traffic warrant out of the Guttenberg Municipal Court for $550.
Noll assisted Avila in arresting Martinez-Moncada due to the outstanding warrant.
During the arrest, Martinez-Moncada told the officers in Spanish that he had a firearm in his vehicle.
Following this information, the occupants of the vehicle were ordered to exit.
The North Bergen Police Department was contacted to confirm whether Martinez-Moncada had an active Firearms Identification Card or a Concealed Carry Permit.
They verified that he did not possess either in the State of New Jersey.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a Smith & Wesson SD40 VE .40 caliber handgun, which was equipped with a high-capacity magazine containing one 9mm Luger round.
Martinez-Moncada was arrested and transported to the Guttenberg Police Department for processing.
Martinez-Moncada was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, violation of firearm regulations, manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of weapons, and certain persons not to have weapons.
Martinez-Moncada was issued one traffic summons for use of a wireless telephone in a moving vehicle.
Martinez-Moncada was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Center, pending his first appearance in Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City.
