Crime & Safety

Police Find Loaded Handgun During Routine Traffic Stop

Police recover loaded weapon during traffic stop for the third time in six weeks.

Police charged a New Jersey man with drug and weapons charges following a traffic stop on Route 1 last week.

Lavarr Parker, 30, of Rahway, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a controlled dangerous substance after he was pulled over for driving an unregistered vehicle. 

On Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m., Officer Salvatore Fama was on patrol when he observed a blue Acura driving north on Route 1. Fama pulled the car over after he found the vehicle was not registered, according to police.

The driver, Parker, was seen allegedly "reaching around" the vehicle as he came to a stop, police said.

After the officer allegedly detected the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, Parker admitted to smoking and having pot in his vehicle, according to police.  

Parker then allegedly tried to reach where he said the marijuana was located, but was instructed by Fama to exit the vehicle, where the officer arrested Parker for several outstanding traffic warrants, police said.

After impounding the vehicle, police allegedly found a fully loaded Glock .22 handgun from under the driver’s seat during a subsequent search of the Acura.  Police also allegedly recovered a small amount of marijuana.

Parker was lodged in the Middlesex County Correction Center in lieu of $50,000 bail.

"This is the third fully loaded handgun recovered off a traffic stop in the past six weeks," said Chief Raymond Hayducka. "The officers are doing an excellent job at getting these weapons off our streets. The seizure of these weapons just highlights the risks of  everyday car stops."


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