BARNEGAT – A routine motor vehicle stop leads to drugs and weapons charges for a West Creek man.
Barnegat Police said 44-year-old Tom Ruiz was stopped Sunday, March 10 near the intersection of Route 72 and Route 539 for reckless driving.
Patrolman Kyle Cranmer discovered a loaded Springfield XD 9mm handgun which was inside the center console of the vehicle.
Police add a quantity of marijuana and THC oil was also found.
Ruiz was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of hollow-point ammunition, tampering with evidence, possession of CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was also issued traffic summonses for reckless driving and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle.
Ruiz was lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
