Police: Crips Gang Member Arrested In Mahwah
Two NY men were found with a gun, a switchblade, drugs and money, police said
Two New York men, one an “admitted Crip gang member,” were arrested in Mahwah Saturday afternoon after police found money, drugs, and weapons in their car, Mahwah Police Lt. Jeffrey Dino said Sunday.
Esteban Ortiz and Michael Kessler of Middletown, NY, were arrested on Route 17 South at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday after police found marijuana, Oxycodone pills, a switchblade knife, and about $4,000 in cash in their car, Dino said. Ortiz, who police said is an admitted member of the Crips street gang, also had a loaded .38 caliber handgun in his jacket pocket, Dino said.
Ortiz was arrested on weapons and drug charges, and is being held at the Bergen County Jail on $75,000 bail, police said. Kessler was arrested on drug possession and other traffic violation charges, Dino said. He was released on his on recognizance and has a future court date in Mahwah, police said.
Their car was initially pulled over for “having an obstructed view,” Dino said. Mahwah Officer John Lange pulled the car over, and was assisted by Mahwah Police Officer Jonathan Weber and Lt. Dino in the arrest.
Pete Malvasi
6:08 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Kudos and thanx to Mahwah PD for this nab!
Andy Schmidt
6:18 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
"a loaded .38 caliber handgun in his jacket pocket"
These officers never know if a traffic stop might be their last! Think about the female officer in Paramus who was shot!
That why their salaries have to compensate for the risk they are exposing themselves to every day. It also shows, why traffic monitoring is crucial - it is an opportunity to intercept out of town actors who otherwise decide that Mahwah is an easy "playground" for them. Ending up on the list of "worst" traffic stop towns is a badge of honor - because it is one way how the police department manages to keep Mahwah's time rate LOWER than many neighboring towns.
(It also explains why some people ARE nervous about any development proposals that attract out of towners to "hang out".)
Doreen Strauch
8:04 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
I think we are very fortunate to have the pro-active police dept. that we have. Many motor vehicle stops have resulted in arrests. Thank you to all the Mahwah Officers who work so hard to keep our town safe.
Mercedes1
12:03 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Once again, Mahwah's finest at their best! Thank you.
Kevin
9:42 am on Monday, February 13, 2012
Love it keep stopping cars!!! To bad they dont put that in the local paper. Next week will read "no activity reported"
Joe Glotzbier
1:35 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Way to go guys! Youre the best there is!