KENILWORTH, NJ — A 20-year-old man was arrested following a traffic stop that led to the recovery of a loaded handgun with a defaced serial number.
Ryan Billups, of Rahway, was stopped by Officer Michael Cascarano on North Michigan Avenue just before midnight Tuesday for multiple motor vehicle violations, including speeding, careless driving and failure to maintain lane.
Billups was operating a 2013 Ford with two juvenile passengers inside.
Officer Dominick Riccelli arrived on scene as backup and observed a handgun beneath the passenger-side seat.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handgun equipped with an extended magazine.
Billups was transported to the Kenilworth Police Department for processing where he was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a high-capacity magazine and possession of a weapon with a defaced serial number.
The two juveniles were also charged with related weapons offenses and were remanded to the Essex County Youth House.
Billups was lodged at the Union County Jail pending transfer to the Essex County Jail, where he awaits a detention hearing.
