Red Bank Police Stop Nets Two Loaded Handguns; Five Arrested

RED BANK, NJ — After a person reported being followed by five people in a white Hyundai on Sunday night, police located the car and discovered two loaded 9 mm handguns and drugs inside, Red Bank police said.

The five in the car were arrested, four of whom were adults.

On Sunday, July 9, about about 8 p.m., Sgt. Jorge Torres of the Red Bank Police Department received a 911 call from a person who said he was being followed by several people in the white Hyundai.

Torres told the caller to drive to the police department, police said. He learned the caller had confronted the group in the Hyundai about stealing a bicycle, prompting a threat, police said.

Meanwhile, as Torres was speaking with the caller, he was able to get enough identifying information about the Hyundai to alert patrol officers on the road.

Patrol Officer Kristin Altimari was in the area, located the car and made a traffic stop near Monmouth Street and Maple Avenue.

The driver of the car was identified as Jordan Diaz-Jose, 20, from Red Bank.

Upon speaking with Altimari, Diaz-Jose appeared "very nervous and began stuttering and repeating his story," police said.

During that time, the remaining occupants of the vehicle were identified as Red Bank residents, three adults and one juvenile.

Torres, meanwhile, continued interviewing the caller to determine what led up to the incident.

Torres learned there had been a previous interaction among the men in which the caller/victim confronted the group as they were allegedly trying to steal a bicycle that was chained up in an area on Locust Avenue.

Police said because the victim confronted the group, one of the men brandished a handgun in a threatening manner toward him, the man told police.

The victim immediately left the area in his vehicle, but said the group decided to follow him, police said in a report. It was at that time the victim called police.

As part of the investigation, officers were assisted by K9 Officer Reiss and his partner Tio from the Middletown Police Department. K9 Tio found a "positive indication" of narcotics in the vehicle, police said.

A further search of the vehicle was conducted and two loaded 9mm handguns were located inside, as well as a "significant amount" of narcotics police said.

The following charges were filed, according to Red Bank police:

• Kevin Aguilar-Aguilar, 21, of Red Bank: Two counts of possession of a handgun, two counts of possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point bullets, and possession of a large capacity magazine.
• Pepita Gonzalez-Gadson, 30, of Red Bank: Possession of CDS crack-cocaine, possession of CDS cocaine, possession of MDMA/Ecstasy pills, two counts of possession of CDS with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a handgun, two counts of possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point bullets, and possession of a large capacity magazine.
• Jordan Diaz-Jose, 20, of Red Bank: Two counts of possession of a handgun, two counts of possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point bullets, and possession of a large capacity magazine.
• Johnny Vargas, 19, of Red Bank: Two counts of possession of a handgun, two counts of possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point bullets, and possession of a large capacity magazine.

All four were detained at the Monmouth County Correctional institution in Freehold.

• Also, a juvenile, 17, of Red Bank who was in the car was arrested and charged with the following: Two counts of possession of a handgun, two counts of possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point bullets, and possession of a large capacity magazine. The juvenile was also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The juvenile was subsequently charged and released to his guardian.

"Sgt. Torres and Officer Altimari should be commended for their actions during this investigation. It’s not everyday we get two loaded handguns off the street during the same encounter," police said. "It goes to show you how officers put their lives at risk every day without knowing what they are going to come across."

Officers Tanner Shea, Andrew Todd, Chris Nelson, along with Detective Sergeant James Deponte, assisted in the investigation.