2 Arrested on Firearms Charges During Cranford Police Motor Vehicle Stop
A Union County woman and an Essex County woman were found to be in possession of a loaded firearm during a motor vehicle stop on North Avenue at the Garden State Parkway Interchange on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025.
At approximately 11:03 PM, Officer Liam Duffy stopped a black 2015 Nissan for moving violations in the area of North Avenue East at the Garden State Parkway Northbound Ramp. Subsequently, Officer Gianna Ricerca was dispatched as Officer Duffy’s backup. During the motor vehicle investigation, Officer Duffy located a loaded firearm. The suspects, later identified as driver Aniyyah Smith, 22, of Hillside, New Jersey, and passenger Shellyann Latouche, 21, of Orange, New Jersey, were taken into custody without incident.
Both Smith and Latouche were found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber Taurus semi-automatic handgun containing 8 rounds of ammunition.
Smith and Latouche were charged with 2nd Degree Possession of a Firearm. At the time of this arrest, both Smith and Latouche were committed to the Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing.
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Release by D/Lt. Spencer Durkin - PIO
s-durkin@cranfordnj.org / 908-709-7346