Paterson NJ Resident Arrested in Saddle Brook New Jersey and Charged with Shoplifting & Possession of Handgun

An alleged shoplifter at the Saddle Brook Walmart was latter discovered to be in possession of a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Apparently, the Saddle Brook Police Department was dispatched to the Walmart because their lost prevention unit had two Paterson New Jersey women detained. Both women were arrested for shoplifting approximately $75 worth of goods from the store. At headquarters, when the police were searching the two women, under the basis of a search incident to a lawful arrest, they discovered a .45 caliber, semi-automatic handgun and to make matters worse the serial numbers were scratched off.

The defendant discovered to be in possession of the handgun has been charged with shoplifting and unlawful possession of a weapon (gun) and is currently being held in the Bergen County Jail on a $10,000 bail. The Saddle Brook Police have also reported that the handgun has been sent to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for purposes of attempting to trace the gun and make sure that it has not been used an any other illegal activity. The other defendant who was also arrested has been charged with shoplifting as well.

The unlawful possession of a handgun is a second degree felony, which if convicted, is punishable by up to ten years in a New Jersey State Prison. Also, the unlawful possession of a weapon offense falls under the Graves Act, which mandates not only a state prison sentence, but also mandatory parole ineligibility terms as well.

The Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliveris an experienced Bergen County Criminal Defense Firm. We have over 100 years of combined experience on staff, including over twenty-five years of prior prosecuting experience. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense like assault, possession of marijuana, arson or driving while intoxicated in towns like Mahwah, Bogota, Paramus, Little Ferry or Garfield we can help. Please feel free to contact any one of our Bergen County Offices at 1-800-682-4037 for a free initial consultation with any one of our eight criminal defense attorneys.