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On Thursday, March 27, around 12:55 a.m., a driver contacted the Edgewater Police Department saying he had been brake-checked and threatened with a gun by a man in a white SUV while traveling north on River Road, according to a press release from the department.
The victim told police the SUV passed him on the opposite side of the road and began braking aggressively in front of him. When the SUV pulled over, the victim said the driver opened the door and pointed what looked like a handgun with a laser at him.
Officer Spaccavento located the white SUV shortly after and conducted a traffic stop. Further investigation by Officer Spaccavento, Sergeant Pothos, Sergeant Mason, Officer Iafelice, and Officer Aguilar revealed a loaded 9mm handgun with no serial number — known as a “ghost gun” — as well as a laser attachment, marijuana in distribution quantity, a scale, and several ziplock baggies, police said.
The driver, identified as Marcos Diaz, of Union City, was arrested and charged on a complaint warrant with the following:
- Possession of Weapons for Unlawful Purposes (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a)
- Unlawful Possession of Weapons (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1))
- Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(4))
- Defaced Firearm (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3D)
- Transporting Firearm Without Serial Number (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9N)
- Minor’s Access to a Loaded Firearm (N.J.S.A. 2C:58-15A)
- Manufacturing/Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5A(1))
- Weapons/CDS Offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1A)
- Endangering the Welfare of Children (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4A(2))
- Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia (N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3)
Municipal Court Judge Robert J. Cohan found probable cause for the charges, and Diaz was processed and taken to Bergen County Jail pending a first court appearance.
Police did not say whether any children were in the vehicle at the time of the arrest.
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