Loaded Glock Handgun Recovered From Red Bank Man In Traffic Stop

RED BANK, NJ — A 22-year old Red Bank man was arrested after a traffic stop for having a loaded handgun in his fanny pack, along with hollow-point bullets, according to Red Bank police.

An unnamed juvenile also was arrested in the incident for having a BB gun that looked like a real handgun, police said.

Kevin Castillo-Lima, a borough resident, was arrested after the car he was a passenger in was stopped on Tuesday, April 25, at 3:45 p.m. on West Bergen Place, police said.

Patrolman Preston Mellaci conducted the motor vehicle stop on West Bergen Place, just east of Shrewsbury Avenue, for a motor vehicle infraction, police said.

Mellaci identified a rear passenger in the car as Castillo-Lima. Mellaci was familiar with Castillo-Lima and was aware of a possible municipal court warrant for his arrest, police said in a news release about the incident. Mellaci radioed dispatch to confirm the warrant. Patrolman Frank Metta, meanwhile, arrived on the scene as back up.

A short time later, dispatch verified that a municipal court warrant existed and Castillo-Lima was placed under arrest, police said. Police did not release information on the warrant.

A search revealed Castillo-Lima possessed a loaded Glock 26 handgun in a fanny pack-style bag that was strapped to his chest, according to police. The gun contained both ball and hollow-point ammunition, police said.

Castillo-Lima was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon as well as possession of hollow-point ammunition, police said. He was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold after being charged.

A further investigation revealed a juvenile occupant of the vehicle was in possession of a BB gun that resembled a real handgun, police said.

The juvenile was released to a guardian after also being charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

"Both Patrolman Mellaci and Patrolman Metta should be commended for outstanding police work. Anytime you recover a handgun from the streets without anyone being injured is a successful day," said Capt. Michael Frazee in the news release on the arrest.