Cranford Police Arrest Man on Multiple Weapons Charges

An 18-year-old New Jersey man was arrested and charged with multiple weapons charges after a motor vehicle stop in Cranford, police said.

At approximately 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, Cranford Police stopped a gray Infiniti on South Avenue near Lincoln Avenue East for motor vehicle violations, according to Cranford Police. During the stop, a rear seat passenger, identified as Kevin Clark, of Linden, was asked to exit the vehicle. After exiting the vehicle, Clark pulled away from police and fled on foot, Cranford Police said.

Clark led authorities on a chase through several residential yards on Hale Street and Heinrich Street, but was apprehended by police behind a residence on Meeker Avenue, police said. Officer Daniel Donnerstag observed Clark discard several items during the chase, including a silver 9mm handgun loaded with hollow point bullets, authorities said.

Clark was arrested and transported to the Cranford Police Headquarters. He was charged with possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point ammunition, possession of a defaced firearm, hindering apprehension and resisting arrest, according to Cranford Police. He was committed to the Union County Jail and bail was set at $200,000.

The driver of the vehicle, a 22-year-old female, was cited for several motor vehicle violations, but was released at the scene. A 19-year-old male passenger was cited for failure to wear a seatbelt and a 17-year-old male passenger was taken into protective custody and released to a parent.