Man From Indiana Nabbed On Route 17 With Gun, Bullets, Drugs: Cops

PARAMUS, NJ — When a Paramus police officer pulled over a car for motor vehicle violations on Wednesday, he found something more.

The Paramus Police Department arrested Brandon Scott Smith, 39, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Christopher J. Harris, 41, of Harlem, N.Y., after the stop.

Police Chief Robert Guidetti said that around 12:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 10, Officer Cesar Hurtado stopped a 2006 black Chevy 4-door for several motor vehicle violations on Route 17 North in the area of Carlough Drive. The car was operated by Brandon Smith.

Officer Sean Casey arrived at the scene as the backup officer.

"A consensual search of the vehicle revealed approximately one pound of marijuana in a clear plastic bag, leading to the arrest of both occupants," police said.

In the vehicle, police found a loaded black .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun with a 50-round box of hollow point bullets, they say.

During the arrest, Casey also found a small clear plastic bag of methamphetamine on Smith, police said.

Brandon Smith was charged with:

• Unlawful Possession of handgun
• Possession of Hollow point bullets
• Possession of a large capacity magazine
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Christopher Harris was charged with marijuana possession.

Smith was taken to the Bergen County Jail pending a bail hearing. Harris was released with a court date.