Man driving on two flat tires at Somerset County private school faces drug, weapons charges

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – A Burlington county man has been arrested in connection with weapons and drug offenses that occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Franklin Township, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

The incident began at around 6:09 a.m. when police received a 9-1-1 call regarding a vehicle with two flat tires being driven through the campus of a private school. Upon arrival, officers observed an individual, who was later identified as Quincy K. Clark, 49, of Burlington Township, exiting the bushes with his hands in his pockets. During their investigation, police allegedly found a high-capacity ammunition magazine on Clark, McDonald said.

A further search of the area revealed a firearm containing hollow point bullets hidden among the bushes. Detectives from both the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, were called in to assist, McDonald said.

The school campus was closed to students, faculty, and staff while authorities conducted the investigation which included a thorough search of the school grounds, McDonald said.

A search warrant, authorized by the Somerset County Superior Court, was later executed on Clark’s vehicle, resulting in the seizure of over half an ounce of suspected cocaine and additional ammunition, McDonald said.

Clark was charged with second-degree possession of a handgun, third-degree possession of a firearm on school grounds, fourth-degree possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, second-degree possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) with intent to distribute, and fourth-degree possession of hollow point bullets

He is currently being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Prosecutor McDonald confirmed that Clark had no known connection to the school, faculty, or students, and the investigation is ongoing to determine his motive and whereabouts prior to the incident.

Prosecutor McDonald praised the quick response of the Franklin Township Police and their collaboration with school officials in implementing an emergency action plan during the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the STOPit app or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).