FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Four men were arrested and six firearms were recovered following an investigation conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force and the Franklin Township Police Department, authorities said.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Acting Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks announced the arrests of Jeffrey Grant, 25, of Long Branch; Elijah Crossen, 20, of Somerset; Qoreon Drew, 18, of Middlesex; and Abusamad Short, 19, of Keansburg.
Authorities said investigators were conducting a quality-of-life detail May 5 in the area of Franklin Boulevard and Baier Avenue in Franklin Township in response to recent reports of firearms activity.
During the investigation, detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop near Franklin Boulevard and Easton Avenue after allegedly observing a firearm in plain view inside the vehicle near the passenger-side door.
Investigators obtained a Superior Court search warrant for the vehicle and allegedly recovered an additional firearm and multiple high-capacity magazines.
Grant, identified as the driver, and Crossen, identified as a passenger, were arrested without incident, authorities said.
While the vehicle investigation was underway, detectives observed a group gathered in a nearby parking lot, according to prosecutors.
Authorities allege Short warned others in the area about the presence of police, while Drew allegedly placed a backpack beneath a parked vehicle before walking away.
Detectives and Franklin Township police officers approached the group, and prosecutors said Short attempted to flee on foot before being detained after a brief pursuit.
Investigators searched the abandoned backpack and allegedly recovered three firearms, including one defaced weapon.
Authorities said Drew also attempted to flee while handcuffed but was apprehended after a brief foot chase.
Later that evening, a Franklin Township resident contacted police after discovering another firearm in bushes near the investigation scene, bringing the total number of firearms recovered to six, prosecutors said.
Grant was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, three counts of possession of a high-capacity magazine, certain persons not to possess weapons and two counts of possession of hollow-point ammunition.
Crossen was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, three counts of possession of a high-capacity magazine and possession of hollow-point ammunition.
Drew was charged with three counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of hollow-point ammunition and resisting arrest by flight.
Short was charged with resisting arrest by flight, a disorderly persons offense.
Authorities said Grant, Crossen and Drew were transported to the Somerset County Jail, while Short was released pending a court appearance.
Following detention hearings, Superior Court Judge Peter J. Tober ordered Grant and Drew detained pending trial, while Crossen was released pending trial.
The investigation remains ongoing.
