Red Bank police arrested two men for having a loaded pistol and on other charges after a brief chase Wednesday.
According to police spokesman Capt. Steve McCarthy, who was involved in the arrest, the pair were stopped on a motor vehicle violation, but already were suspects in another, unspecified case that remains under investigation.
When police attempted to pull over the car in which the two men were riding, the driver veered into a residential driveway on Newman Springs Road, between Carmen Place and Knight Street, in an attempt to flee, McCarthy said.
The driver, identified as Pedro Aviles, 38, of Lakewood, jump out of the car while it was still moving and took off on foot across several back yards, McCarthy said.
Aviles was arrested without a struggle when police caught up to him moments later, he said.
The car’s passenger, Kevin McNair, also 38, of Red Bank, remained in the car and did not attempt to flee, McCarthy said.
Police reported finding a loaded .32 caliber pistol in the vehicle.
Aviles was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, violation of a law disallowing certain persons to have weapons, criminal mischief (for damage done by Aviles to a fence while fleeing) and resisting arrest.
In addition, Neptune City police arrested Aviles on outstanding contempt of court warrant, and the Cumberland County prosecutor’s office did the same for a warrant on a probation violation, McCarthy said.
Borough court Judge William Himelman ordered Aviles held on $50,000 bail. The suspect is being held at the Monmouth County Corrections facility.
McNair was charged with unlawful gun possession and the law disallowing certain persons to have weapons. He was released on his own recognizance pending an initial appearance for these charges.
An investigation into the source of the handgun continues.
Involved in the arrest were Sgt. Michael Frazee assisted by Det. Robert Clayton, Inv. Wendy Samis, and McCarthy.
