Newark NJ police arrested a local man who was allegedly carrying a handgun on a city street.

Police officers made the arrest after receiving a tip from an anonymous caller. The tipster contacted the Newark Police Department’s Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line to report that someone was in possession of a gun in Newark’s West Ward. The caller provided police with a detailed description of the suspect, as well as the suspect’s clothing.

Officers with the Newark Offender Re-Entry Unit were sent to the area of 13th Avenue and South 12th Street in Newark, New Jersey. Not long after getting to the scene, police officers saw the 19-year-old suspect.

When officers approached the suspect, they allegedly saw a gun sticking out of his pants pocket. The officers then searched the suspect and reportedly discovered an unloaded .38-caliber handgun.

The suspect was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

If the suspect is eventually convicted on the handgun possession charges, he could be subject to severe criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5(b), anyone in possession of a handgun without a valid license or permit may be charged with a second degree criminal offense. A conviction for second degree illegal handgun possession could lead to a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.

The Newark police director commended the officers who arrested the suspect and got another illegal gun off Newark streets.

The Newark Police Department has asked that members of the public with information about crimes, including weapons offenses, contact the Newark Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS or 877-NWK-GUNS.

For further information about this case, see the NJ.com article entitled “Tip Leads to Arrest of Newark Man on Gun Charge.”