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Thomas Hamparian (COURTESY BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR)
Thomas Hamparian, 18, who graduated this past June from Emerson Junior/Senior High School, first met with the undercover detective last Friday “seeking to purchase illegal firearms,” including a long rifle and a semiautomatic handgun, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said, confirming the incident.
The undercover met with Hamparian again on Monday afternoon in the parking lot next to Veterans Park, across from the library, in Westwood, CLIFFVIEW PILOT learned earlier today.
The detective showed him several weapons and Hamparian agreed to buy two handguns — an Intratec 9mm Luger TEC-9 and a Beretta 9mm, Molinelli said.
Hamparian handed the officer $600, took the weapons and then tried to run when he realized what was happening, a source with direct knowledge of the case told CLIFFVIEW PILOT. He didn’t get far before being tackled, the source said.
Detectives also seized ammo, firearms-related material and two computers from his Forest Avenue home.
Hamparian, described by investigators as a loner, is being held on $100,000 bail at the Bergen County Jail, charged with unlawful weapons possession.
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