The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force concluded a month-long investigation last week with one arrest and the seizure of a loaded revolver, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Just after noon on Friday, in the area of Hamilton Avenue and South Broad Street, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on a 2003 Jeep Liberty being driven by the target of the investigation, Alex Orozco.
Orozco attempted to flee police by intentionally colliding his vehicle into an occupied police vehicle. When detectives removed Orozco from the Jeep, he removed a loaded, .22 caliber handgun from his waistband area and tried to discard it. After a brief struggle with officers, Orozco was taken into custody without further incident.
Detectives then executed search warrants of Orozco’s residence and vehicle. A search of the 2003 Jeep Liberty revealed a loaded, six shot, .22 caliber H&R revolver and an amount of marijuana under 50 grams. A digital scale and packaging materials were found inside of his Emory Street residence.
Police charged Orozco, 39, with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a handgun, certain persons not to possess a handgun and resisting arrest. The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to have him detained.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.