Man arrested on gun, drug charges; after release, steals his impounded truck during robbery
LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — A Pennsylvania man arrested on gun and drug charges following a traffic stop in Warren County is now facing additional charges, including robbery and motor vehicle theft, after allegedly stealing an impounded vehicle and fleeing police, authorities said.
On June 14 around 2 a.m., the Pohatcong Township Police Department stopped a vehicle on Pohatcong Alley, police said. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded 9mm handgun, three 15-round magazines, a 21-round magazine, hollow point ammunition and suspected methamphetamine.
The driver, identified as Isaiah A. Goodwin, 22, was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of a handgun without a permit, second-degree possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, four counts of fourth-degree possession of large-capacity magazines, and a disorderly persons offense for possession of a controlled dangerous substance without voluntary surrender.
Goodwin was released later that day on pretrial monitoring with non-monetary conditions, officials said.
On June 15 around 10:30 p.m., Lopatcong police responded to a reported armed robbery at Rossnagle’s Service Center, where a suspect fled in a black pickup truck. Officers spotted the truck traveling west on Route 22 and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver eluded police.
Authorities determined the stolen vehicle was the same one impounded after Goodwin’s initial arrest. Goodwin was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of a handgun without a permit, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree eluding, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary and fourth-degree aggravated assault.
Goodwin was arrested June 18 by the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force and the Northampton County Auto Theft Task Force. He remains in custody in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
First-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison, while second-degree charges carry up to 10 years. Third-degree charges carry up to five years, and fourth-degree offenses carry up to 18 months. Disorderly persons offenses carry a maximum of six months in jail.
The investigation was led by the Lopatcong Township Police Department and Pohatcong Township Police Department with assistance from multiple agencies including the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, U.S. Marshals and Pennsylvania authorities.
