Stolen Handgun Found In U-Haul, Passengers Arrested: Cranford Police

CRANFORD, NJ — Two Middlesex County men driving a U-Haul box truck through Cranford were charged with weapon-related offenses on Wednesday, after officers found a loaded .22 Caliber revolver inside the vehicle, police said.

Cranford Officer Robert Chamra and Officer James Wilson III pulled over the U-Haul in the area of West South Avenue and Washington Place, after the truck ran a red light at about 3:28 a.m. During the investigation, Chamra found the loaded handgun, which was reported stolen out of Battle Creek, Michigan, police said.

The driver, Israel Ruiz, age 27, from North Brunswick, and passenger Antonio Jones, 30, from New Brunswick, were both charged with weapon-related offenses and both had active warrants from surrounding jurisdictions, according to police.

Police said Ruiz and Jones were charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree receiving stolen property and first-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm. Ruiz was also issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while suspended, failure to observe a traffic control device and careless driving.

Both were sent to Union County Jail pending a detention hearing, according to police.

Cranford Police Detectives are working with the Union County Police Department’s Forensic Firearms Unit and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to determine if the weapon has been used in additional criminal acts.

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