Driver found with weed and a loaded handgun in Barnegat

What started out as a traffic stop for reckless driving between Routes 72 and 539 in Barnegat turns into an arrest for a West Creek man.

Police developed evidence at the scene on Sunday around 6:00 pm that warranted a search of the vehicle and inside they found Marijuana, THC oil and a loaded Springfield XD 9mm handgun in the center console.

Tom Ruiz Jr., 44, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of hollow-point ammunition, certain persons not to have weapons, 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 then lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

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