Men Who Pointed Gun at Child Arrested in Camden, Police Say

Two men who allegedly pointed a handgun at a kid while driving through Camden Friday were arrested after crashing their car and face multiple weapons charges, Camden County Police said.

Alexis Gonzalez, 25, and Nelson E. Bonilla, 25, were driving a 2004 Chrysler Sebring through the city around 4 p.m. when they threatened the child with a 9mm handgun at South 4th and Clinton streets, police said, and officers responding to a 911 call spotted them a few blocks away.

Officers tailed Gonzalez and Bonilla, who police said were driving erratically, until the two men crashed the car at South 4th Street and Kaighns Avenue.

Gonzalez took off running, police said, but was caught by officers after a brief chase, and both he and Bonilla were arrested. Officers recovered a Hi-Point Model C-9 from the front seat of the Sebring, police said.

“Again we’ve taken another illegal handgun off the street this week, and neutralized a threat from suspects that were terrorizing the children and neighbors of this city,” Camden County Chief Scott Thomson said. “Our message is clear: If you are in possession of an illegal firearm in Camden, we are going to arrest you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."

Thompson said officers are focused on pulling illegal guns off the street, and said he’ll pursue the possibility of federal charges against both men, who both have prior records.

“As with all convicted felons who are prohibited from possessing a firearm, we will seek a Trigger-lock federal prosecution from our law enforcement partners at the US Attorney's Office,” Thomson said.

Gonzalez and Bonilla were both charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and certain persons not to possess a weapon; Gonzalez was also charged with eluding police and resisting arrest. Both men also had several warrants against them, police said.

The pair were both taken to the Camden County Jail in lieu of bail. Gonzalez’s was set at $200,000, and Bonilla’s was set at $100,000.