An Essex County man was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm during a motor vehicle stop on Centennial Avenue near Hayes Street Sunday, October 9^th, 2022.

At approximately 1933 hours, Officer Christopher Gross observed a White 2016 BMW with an equipment violation and multiple seatbelt violations in the area of Centennial Avenue and Hayes Street.  Subsequently, Officer Gross effected a motor vehicle stop of the BMW at this same location and Officer Nicholas Cook was dispatched as his back-up.  During the course of the motor vehicle investigation, Officer Gross observed that one rear seat passenger, later identified as 28-year-old Anthony Moore of East Orange New Jersey, was not wearing his seatbelt. 

Officer Gross determined that Moore had an outstanding traffic warrant out of East Orange, NJ.  Subsequent to Moore being taken into custody for this warrant, a search of his person led to the discovery of Moore being in possession of a loaded .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver. 

Moore was charged with 2^nd Degree Possession of a Firearm, 2^nd Degree Certain Persons Not To Possess Firearms, 4^th Degree Possession of a Defaced Firearm, and failure to wear a seatbelt.  The driver of the vehicle was issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to wear a seatbelt and improper display of license plates.  At the time of this arrest, Moore was awaiting commitment to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing.

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Release by D/Lt. Matthew R. Nazzaro

Public Information Officer - Cranford Police Department

m-nazzaro@cranfordnj.org / 908-709-4313