Wanted man found with defaced gun during traffic stop: Egg Harbor NJ PD

Authorities say a Salem County man wanted for a previous handgun offense was found with a defaced handgun during a traffic stop in Egg Harbor Township last week.

Around 10 p.m. on the evening of June 25, the EHT Police Department said one of its officers stopped a vehicle near 6661 Black Horse Pike, near the former Inn of the Dove, for a violation to the highway code.

Police said during the stop they learned the driver, Russell Daniel, was wanted by the Salem County Sheriff’s Office for a prior handgun offense.

An investigation then led to a search of the vehicle, where officers said they recovered a 9mm handgun with a defaced serial number, loaded with a high-capacity 12-round magazine and 10 tipped bullets dig.

Daniel and his 15-year-old passenger were both taken into custody and face several charges related to the defaced weapon and illegal possession of a weapon.

The juvenile was released on summons while charges against Daniel were placed on a warrant and he was booked into the Atlantic County Justice Center.

The Egg Harbor Township Police Department said:

We understand that a traffic stop may be seen as an inconvenience to many, but it is a police officer’s responsibility to stop, educate the public, and enforce the laws of the State of New Jersey. New Jersey’s traffic laws improve the safety of motorists on our roadways. Occasionally, a stop, such as this one, will also allow an officer to apprehend a more serious criminal offender. Thank you for supporting our officers’ efforts to make our community a safe place to live, work and travel.