Hillside police arrested nine people and recovered two guns between July 6th and July 9th.
In the first incident, on July 6, officers responded to the area of Irvington Avenue and Wilder Street for a report of a large fight between two groups of individuals.
Hillside Police Officers and K-9 Officer Casterline, along with Kean College Police Officers arrived on scene and detained several individuals for further investigation.
While police arrested these suspects, Hillside Police Officers checked the area and observed a vehicle with the passenger door slightly open. When officers approached the vehicle to investigate, they found a handgun on the rear passenger seat.
The five occupants of that vehicle, Abdel Anderson, Antonio Rodriguez, Lawrence Price, Andre Wimush and Quevaugn Parker were ultimately arrested and charged with possession of a handgun and possession of marijuana.
On July 9, Hillside Patrol Officer Joseph Vetter was monitoring traffic on North Broad Street when he observed a vehicle with a traffic infraction.
When Officer Vetter conducted a motor vehicle stop, he sensed a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the vehicle. Back up units arrived on scene. The four occupants exited the vehicle for further investigation.
All four individuals were found to be in possession of Marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Upon searching the vehicle for additional contraband, officers located a stolen .22 cal Smith and Wesson handgun in the car. A set of brass knuckles were also found in the car.
The four occupants, Raymond Serrano, Aljaquan Diggs, James Jenkins and Waheed Perry, were arrested and charged unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), unlawful possession of a weapon (Brass Knuckles) receiving stolen property and possession of CDS.