Man Who Broke Into Secaucus Car Found With Illegal Guns: Police

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus Police say they arrested this man, Malahki Issac, 18, of Newark, on March 14 in Secaucus, and charged him with breaking into and stealing from a parked car.

The car was parked at the Extended Stay hotel on Meadowlands Parkway, and police say he broke into it during the overnight hours on March 14.

After his arrest, Secaucus Police detectives say they discovered evidence that Issac was involved in illegal gun trafficking. They launched an investigation.

On Thursday of this week, Secaucus Police detectives arrested Issac a second time, this time on Springfield Avenue in Newark. They had a warrant for his arrest and charged him with possessing stolen handguns and the possession of handguns by a minor.

Newark Police then conducted a search warrant at Issac's home, located on the 200 block of Muhammad Ali Avenue. Members of the Secaucus Police Department Anti-Crime Unit, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) conducted a court-authorized search, and say they found:

• More than 400 rounds of rifle ammunition
• A Sig Sauer 9mm handgun
• A Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun, which was reported stolen from Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Both handguns were fully loaded with high capacity magazines.

Furthermore, a search of Issac's grandmother’s safe uncovered a .38 special revolver that she did not lawfully acquire, said police. Therefore, Lynda Steagell, 63, of Newark was also placed under arrest.

“I continually state that criminals who commit a crime in Secaucus that affects our residents’ quality of life are on notice," said Chief Dennis Miller. "I will allow Secaucus Police detectives to travel into any locale they need to and apprehend them and charge them with any crimes they are involved in. The arrest is yet another example of the nexus between recidivist car thieves and violent armed offenders."

Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens thanked Secaucus Police for the law enforcement collaboration.

“I thank Secaucus Police and this case shows the importance of collaboration amongst law
enforcement agencies,” said the county prosecutor. “The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is always willing to work with our law enforcement counterparts to protect the residents of New Jersey.”

Issac was charged with:

• Three counts of Receiving Stolen Property (Firearms) [2C:20-7a]
• Four counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Minor [2C:58-6.1(a)]
• Two counts of Possession of High Capacity Magazines [2C:39-3j]
• His grandmother, Steagell, was charged with Violating the Regulatory Provisions Relating to Firearms [2C:39-10a(1)] and released, pending her appearance in court.