Police arrested three men, believed to have alleged ties to a group known for violence against law enforcement, over the weekend in possession of a loaded handgun, knives, and prescription pills, according to authorities.
On Saturday, at approximately 1:33 a.m., a city officer on patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Route 130 without headlamps. The vehicle occupied by three people was stopped by the patrol officer in the area of Keim Boulevard and Washington Avenue.
During the stop, the officer detected that the driver may have been driving while intoxicated. The driver, later identified as Robert Monro Jr, 21, of Philadelphia, was asked to step out of the vehicle in order for the officer to conduct field sobriety tests. Once out of the vehicle, Monro Jr. was found with a loaded handgun in his waistband along with another high capacity magazine.
He was immediately taken into custody. Other items including a knife and prescription pills were found during a search of his person.
The other two passengers were also found in possession of knives. They were identified as Steven A. Tonzelli, 24, of Philadelphia, and Christopher Chmielewski, 28, of Burlington Township. Chmielewski also had prescription pills in his pocket when searched.
All three individuals appeared to be associated with the Outsiders Motorcycle Club, based out of Philadelphia, PA. The Outsiders are a support club with strong ties to the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The Outlaws is a notoriously known “Outlaw” Motorcycle Club or “Gang” known for violence against law enforcement along with other illegal activities.
The charges were as follows:
- Monro Jr. was charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance. His bail was set at $40,000 with no 10% option.
- Tonzelli was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in default of $5,000, with no 10%.
- Chmielewski was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in default of $5,000, no 10%.