Man Had Loaded Gun, Was Trying To Steal Secaucus Cars, Police Say

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus Police say they found this man late Friday night, hiding in the bushes outside a darkened Secaucus High School, and he had a loaded gun in his pants pocket.

Police say the 18-year-old Staten Island man was in that area of Secaucus attempting to steal a car.

At 1:35 a.m. Saturday, May 8, Secaucus Police responded to Millridge Road on a report of a suspicious person trying to gain entry into parked car. It was a resident of that are who first called 911.

Officers did a search of the area and Police Officer William Kosky discovered Christian Reyes-Martinez hiding in the bushes in a darkened area on the outskirts of Secaucus High School.

While police were interviewing him, they said he had a noticeable bulge in his pants pocket. He then removed a handgun magazine from his pocket, which was loaded with fabricated handgun ammunition, said police. Additionally, he was found in possession of a .380 caliber handgun in his pants pocket, said police.

Police say Reyes-Martinez entered a resident’s SUV in an attempt to steal it, but was unsuccessful.

He also unsuccessfully tried to break into a second resident’s vehicle, but only created damage to the door handle.

Secaucus Police have warned residents many times to lock their cars.

“This is a true example of the community-police partnership that we promote,” said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller. “A resident saw something that didn’t look right and reported it, which directly led to the arrest of this armed burglar. I am glad another handgun was removed from the criminal element’s arsenal without officers having to resort to the use of any force, but this arrest highlights the inherent risks officers face while performing their duties."

Reyes-Martinez, 18, of Staten Island, NY, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Handgun [2C:39-5b(1)], Possession of a “Defaced” Firearm [2C:39-3(d)], Unlawful Possession of a Handgun on School Property [2C:39-5e(1)], Unlawful Possession of Handgun Ammunition [2C:58-3.3], Criminal Mischief [2C:17-3a(1)], and Criminal Attempt to Commit Burglary and Theft [2C:5-1/2C:18-2a(1) and 2C:20-3a].

He was lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

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