Police: Crips Gang Member Arrested In Mahwah

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, 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.