2 Arrested In Gloucester Twp. Road Rage Incident Involving: Cops

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Two people were arrested after a late night road rage incident involving a handgun in Gloucester Township Monday night, according to police.

The incident was reported in the area of Erial Road and Garwood Road, in the Erial section of the township, at about 10:15 p.m. Monday night, Gloucester Township police said.

The victim told police they were behind a car that was traveling slowly along the road before coming to an abrupt stop. She swerved around the right side of the car, yelling at the occupants as she began to pass, police said.

She said a woman got out of the passenger’s side of the car and pointed a black handgun at her, according to police. She then fled the area and alerted police.

After getting a description of the car and a license plate number, police said they found the vehicle traveling on Erial Road near College Drive. Police initiated what they called a high risk traffic stop due to the presence of the gun.

Kinoshkie Mercado-Dejesus, 23, and Nilvanys Llanos, 25, were detained during the investigation, in which police said they recovered a black Beretta style airsoft gun with the orange safety tip removed.

They said they had been trying to find a home they were delivering food to as part of a delivery service, police said. They got lost, which is why they were driving slowly and ultimately stopped suddenly.

They were both charged with third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree possession of a defaced firearm. Llanos was also charged with fourth-degree aggravated assault. Both suspects were remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in accordance with New Jersey Bail Reform.

“Road rage has the potential to affect all drivers on the road and can lead to death or injury,” Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said. “It’s not worth engaging with those who drive aggressively. Always try to keep your cool, and practice courteous driving habits. If you are threatened, call 9-1-1 right away.”

Gloucester Township police cited statistics compiled from the NHTSA and the Auto Vantage auto club concerning aggressive driving and road rage:

• 66 percent of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving;
• 37 percent of aggressive driving incidents involve a firearm;
• Men under the age of 19 are the most likely to exhibit road rage;
• Half of drivers who are on the receiving end of an aggressive behavior, such as horn honking, a rude gesture, or tailgating, admit to responding with aggressive behavior themselves;
• Over a period of seven years, 218 murders and 12,610 injuries were attributed to road rage; and
• 2 percent of drivers admit to trying to run an aggressor off the road.