Detectives John Farfan and Luis Roca of the Street Crime Unit approached a group of people gathered in the area of North Main and Arch streets around 7 p.m. Thursday when the teen walked away while trying to hide something in his clothing, Police Director Jerry Speziale said.
They found him carrying a semi-automatic handgun, along with the illegal magazine, ammo and drugs, Speziale said.
The teen was being held in the Essex County Detention Center pending a hearing, the director said.
A delinquency complaint charges him with possession of the weapon while committing a drug offense and of the other illegal items.
The weapon is being sent to the New Jersey State Police to determine whether it’s connected to any other crimes.
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