Luis J. Rosario, 27, was arrested on Sept. 1, 2015 by city detectives canvassing the area of Jefferson Street and North Main Street as part of a homicide investigation, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said.
One of them spotted Rosario get out and walk away from a white 2004 Ford wagon registered to him – while another saw a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun wedged between the two front seats, Valdes said.
Rosario, who was standing across the street, tried to walk away, but detectives grabbed him two blocks away on Haledon Avenue.
Rosario was previously convicted of selling drugs, which made it illegal for him to buy, own or have a gun.
Sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 6.
Rosario was remanded to the Passaic County Jail until then.
Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Kathy Oviedo handled the two-day jury trial that ended in Friday's guilty verdict. Defense attorney Betsy Batista represented Rosario.
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