Morristown Man Hid Fake Gun In Bush Before Probation Meeting: PD

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A Morristown man faces several charges after hiding a fake handgun in a bush before a meeting with his probation officer, the Morris County Sheriff's Office said.

Maurice J. Bates, 21, of Morristown, was arrested on May 2, following an April 30 probation meeting at the county courthouse in Morristown. Bates is accused of hiding a black imitation handgun under a bush outside the courthouse during his probation meeting; Bates then got the take handgun back from under the bush after the meeting, the sheriff's office said.

A witness told police he saw the fake handgun under the bush, and it was gone when he went back to the bush a little while later to look for it. Police say a review of security footage captured Bates hiding the gun, and retrieving it about half an hour later.

Bates was arrested at his home on May 1, and charged the next day with possession of a weapon (imitation firearm) for an unlawful purpose. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office has filed a motion to hold him in jail as this charge is pending.

"There are aggressive, proactive security safeguards in and around the Morris County Court Complex and Administration and Records Building. People who bring illegal weapons to the area will be caught," Sheriff James Gannon said.