Crime & Safety
Undercover Cop Arrests 19-Year-Old on Gun Charges
Three officers chased down Judens Obed Michel, 19, of West Orange, police say.
Undercover police arrested a 19-year-old West Orange man on Monday evening on gun charges, authorities said Thursday.
According to Sgt. David Naimaister, the undercover officer saw Judens Obed Michel at about 7 p.m. repeatedly adjust the left side of his jeans while walking on Valley Road.
The undercover officer believed Michel matched the description of someone connected to a previous incident involving a handgun, township spokeswoman Jessica Glicker said in a release.
When the officer approached Michel, he fled. Three officers caught him after a foot chase on Quinby Place, according to Glicker.
Police found a loaded handgun Michel tossed during the pursuit, Naimaister said. The gun was not stolen. Additionally, the gun matched the description in previous report.
The details of the incident where Michel was a suspect and where his gun was involved is unknown at this time. He was not charged for any prior incident.
Michel was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
“Our officers are out there all day everyday risking their lives to protect our community.They make me extremely proud. I hope they make all the citizens of West Orange proud, because they're willing to go into harm's way to keep our town safe,” West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott said in a release.
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