19°
Wayne police Wednesday night raided the home of Christopher S. Ruby, 18, after learning that he’d had “prior interaction” with law enforcement in Florida, Detective Capt. Laurence Martin said.
They’d been tipped off by a school resource officer who lives in Wayne and saw the photo of Christopher Ruby brandishing the gun, he said.
They arrested Ruby along with his sister, Alyssa, also 18, after finding the illegal Arminius Model HW3 seven-shot .32-caliber revolver “with a broken trigger guard and electrical tape wrapped around the handle,” Martin said.
They also found 25 sealed syringes, various nutritional supplements and a small glass bottle of anabolic steroid labeled “Sustanon 250," along with some pot and various drug paraphernalia bearing drug residue, during the raid at 555 Hamburg Turnpike, he said.
“In light of the recent tragic events that occurred in the state of Florida and the acts of gun related violence reported throughout the United States of America, this investigation is a clear example of how vital it is for law enforcement to vet information in a timely manner for the purpose of proactively investigating and apprehending individuals who are suspected of being in possession of illegal firearms,” the captain said.
“Although the suspect never made any directed threats,” he added, “the content of this disturbing image was investigated in a timely manner for the purpose of ensuring public safety of our community residents.
“Within hours of initiating this investigation, the name and address of the potential suspect was identified, his background was thoroughly vetted, undercover surveillance of his activity was conducted, court-ordered search warrants were obtained and a subsequent search of his residence resulted in the recovery of the same illegal firearm that he brandished in the Instagram post that was viewed by a concerned citizen and reported to the police.
“As a result of seizing this weapon and arresting the suspect, we believe potential future criminal act involving this weapon and another tragic circumstance was averted.”
Both suspects were released on summons complaints pending future court dates.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Ridgewood and receive free news updates.
