Three Men Accused of Trying to Bring Guns, Other Weapons from New Jersey into New York
Port Authority police recently arrested three people who allegedly had a large cache of weapons and guns in their car while attempting to drive through the Holland Tunnel.
According to law enforcement, the suspects were stopped before they could reach the Holland Tunnel, which connects New Jersey to New York and is used by millions of people each year to travel between the two states.
At the time of the arrests, the suspects were reportedly trying to get into NYC. They were stopped on the NJ side of the Holland Tunnel after a Port Authority patrol officer noticed that their motor vehicle had a cracked windshield. The police officer, who is one of several officers on patrol around the Holland Tunnel, pulled over the car near a toll plaza and spoke with the driver.
At some point during the conversation, the Port Authority officer became suspicious when the driver said that he was headed to Manhattan so that he could rescue a girl from a drug den. The police officer asked the driver, as well as the vehicle’s two passengers, to exit the car so that law enforcement could conduct a search. During the subsequent search of the motor vehicle, police allegedly found an arsenal of weaponry that looked like it belonged in a Rambo movie.
Among the weapons reportedly seized by police was a military-style AR-15 assault rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, five smaller pistols and a number of knives. Moreover, authorities later indicated that at least a few of the guns were loaded with ammunition.
Police also allegedly found a small quantity of drugs and drug-related items, including marijuana and a pipe used to smoke marijuana.
All three suspects were placed under arrest and charged with multiple crimes, including unlawful possession of a weapon, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspects, who hail from Pennsylvania, will have to answer the charges in a New York courtroom.
New York on High Alert for Terrorism, Gun Violence
In the aftermath of the recent mass shooting by a terrorist at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, US law enforcement has been on high alert for other potential acts of terrorism. The counter-terrorism apparatus in New York City is taking measures to prevent a terroristic attack in Manhattan. The recent arrests of the suspects who allegedly had a massive amount of guns and other weapons suggest that the NYC efforts are working.
It is important to note that both state and federal authorities are still investigating the suspects. At this time, law enforcement does not have any reason to believe that the weapons were going to be used in any kind of terrorist-related incident.
When the suspects ultimately face the criminal charges in a New York court, they will be subject to severe penalties. That’s because New York is known for having some of the toughest gun laws in the United States, including a ban on the kind of military-style assault weapon that was reportedly found in the suspects’ car.
For further information about this case, view the Yahoo.com article, “Three Arrested at New York-New Jersey Tunnel with Weapons Cache.”
If you have been arrested and charged with illegal handgun possession, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose or any other gun crime in NY, you need a qualified criminal defense lawyer on your side. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at the LaDuca Law Firm can help you fight your criminal charges and stay out of prison. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our office in Rochester, New York.
