Rochelle Park Officer Nabs Wanted Southerner With Loaded Gun In Pickup Stop

A South Carolina man wanted on an illegal gun possession charge out of Louisiana was caught by a Rochelle Park police officer with a loaded 9mm handgun and a high-capacity magazine in his truck, authorities said.

Jerry DeMarco

11/27/2023 11:36 a.m.

Officer Chris Kiszka stopped the Dodge Ram with South Carolina plates for multiple violations on West Passaic Street last week, Capt. James DePreta said on Monday, Nov. 27.

The driver -- James Locklair, 24, of Neeces, SC -- "abruptly raised his hands and volunteered that he had a firearm in the vehicle" during the Nov. 21 stop, the captain said.

A loaded Taurus 9MM handgun was found tucked between the crease of the driver's seat and the middle bench seat, DePreta said.

It had a high-capacity magazine and contained a hollow-point bullet, he said.

Locklair, who didn't have a New Jersey carry permit, apparently was traveling for work, DePreta said. He also had several medications without prescriptions with him -- as well as an open warrant for illegally carrying firearms in Louisiana, the captain said.

Locklair was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of prohibited weapons, possession of hollow-nose bullets, possession of a large capacity magazine and illegal drug possession.

He remained held in the Bergen County Jail pending extradition by the Orleans Parish (LA) Sheriff's Office.

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