Newark NJ police arrested a Louisiana man accused of possessing a loaded gun while he drove his car on a city street.

According to law enforcement, the suspect was driving his vehicle near Madison Avenue and South 18th Avenue in Newark New Jersey when he drove through a stop sign. Members of the Newark Police Department Firearms Interdiction Team were on patrol in Newark when they allegedly observed the suspect commit the traffic offense.

Newark NJ police officers pulled over the suspect’s car and approached the driver. One of the officers reportedly saw a passenger try to place a bag under the backseat. According to authorities, the bag was open and contained a face mask and a black bandana.

Police officers instructed the 24-year-old driver, who lives in Louisiana, to get out of the car. When the suspect exited the vehicle, police officers allegedly saw a 9-mm automatic handgun hidden under his leg.

The suspect was immediately placed under arrest by the officers. He was subsequently charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

Although the suspect hails from Louisiana, he is subject to significant penalties under the New Jersey Criminal Code. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, anyone found in possession of a prohibited weapon like a handgun, assault firearm, or shotgun can be charged with a third degree criminal offense. A conviction for third degree illegal handgun possession could result in a sentence of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.

For additional information about this case, check out NJ.com article entitled “Traffic Stop Leads to Weapons Arrest in Newark.”