2 Illegal 'Ghost Guns' Confiscated By Cranford Police Last Week

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Police recovered two illegal "ghost guns" last week in two separate incidents.

A "ghost gun" is an untraceable firearm that contains no serial number and can be purchased online in various pieces and assembled at home, according to Cranford Police. These parts are widely available and can be purchased by anyone, even those that are prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

The first ghost gun confiscated by Cranford Police was on May 26 at approximately 7 p.m. when a disturbance call was made in the area of Meeker Avenue and Heinrich Street. Officers approached an individual, later identified as 52-year-old Patrick Wolfe of Union, who reached into his waistband and took out a handgun.

Officer Michale Gamba quickly grabbed the weapon and wrestled it away from Wolfe, according to police. Wolfe was charged with multiple weapon offenses and sent to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Then on Wednesday, June 1, police responded to an unrelated disturbance at a Wall Street residence. During the investigation, officers recovered a semi-automatic weapon determined to be a "ghost gun."

Detectives are working with county, state and federal partners to determine the origin of the weapon, according to police.

Police said anyone can obtain these ghost guns, including convicted felons, domestic abusers, individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders and gun traffickers.