Following a motor vehicle stop, two Middlesex County men were charged with weapon related offenses, after Officers located a loaded .22 Caliber revolver inside a vehicle.

On August 24, 2022, at approximately 0328hrs., Officer Robert Chamra and Officer James T. Wilson III conducted a motor vehicle stop of a U-Haul Box Truck in the area of W. South Avenues and Washington Place, after observing the truck disregard a red traffic signal.  During an on-scene investigation, Officer Chamra located the loaded .22 Caliber revolver, which was reported stolen out of Battle Creek, Michigan, inside the passenger compartment of the truck.  The driver, Israel Ruiz, age 27, from North Brunswick, and a passenger, Antonio Jones, 30, from New Brunswick, were both taken into custody at the scene for weapon related offenses.  Additionally, both had active warrants from surrounding jurisdictions.

Ruiz was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Receiving Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree, Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm in the 1st Degree, and issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while suspended, failure to observe a traffic control device, and careless driving.  

Jones was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Receiving Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree, and Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm in the 1st Degree.

Both were committed to the Union County Jail pending a Detention Hearing.

Cranford Police Detectives are working with the Union County Police Department’s Forensic Firearms Unit and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to determine if the weapon has been used in additional criminal acts.