Out-Of-State Driver Caught Toting A Purple Handgun, Leonia Officer On Hot Streak

A Leonia police officer made his third gun arrest in less than a week after he stopped an unregistered sedan and spotted a purple Glock in the female driver’s center console, authorities said.

Jayme R. Benefield
Photo Credit: *LEONIA PD / BCJ (inset)*

Jerry DeMarco

07/25/2023 6:34 p.m.

Officer Devon O’Donnell pulled the 2022 Toyota Camry over on Fort Lee Road around 1:15 a.m. Sunday, July 23, Police Chief Scott Tamagny said.

Backup Sgt. Sihoon Chung, Officer Debbie Maldonado and Palisades Park Officer Theodore Christolias arrived within moments and the driver was taken into custody.

Jayme R. Benefield, 53, of Salem, Alabama, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of prohibited ammunition.

She was sent to the Bergen County Jail before a judge released her on Tuesday, July 25.

That makes three guns, three arrests, more than a pound of pot and some hollow-point bullets for O'Donnell in a span of only five days, Tamagny noted.

SEE: Sharp-Eyed Leonia Officer Nabs Jersey City Pair With Loaded Guns

"Devon has been with us less than a year and is doing great work," the chief said.

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