By: Tracie Carter
Police in Paterson arrested two Pennsylvania men and recovered an illegal handgun following a foot pursuit and vehicle stop late last month in the city’s Eastside section.
According to the Paterson Police Department, the incident unfolded on April 30 at approximately 10:17 p.m. near Temple Street and Matlock Street, where officers assigned to patrol observed two individuals dressed in dark clothing and ski masks allegedly walking in the roadway and obstructing traffic.
As officers approached to investigate, authorities said the suspects fled on foot.
During the chase, one of the suspects, identified as Ricardo Vega, 20, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, allegedly discarded a handgun before attempting to enter a waiting vehicle.
Officers caught up with Vega and took him into custody while assisting officers recovered the weapon.
Police said the driver of the vehicle, identified as Gilbert Rojas Rojas, 18, also of Allentown, allegedly sped away and nearly struck an officer in the process.
Officers quickly located the vehicle a short distance away and conducted a stop, taking Rojas Rojas into custody without further incident.
Vega is charged with second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, resisting arrest, and obstruction of duty the administration of law.
Authorities said the second-degree weapons offenses carry potential prison terms of five to 10 years under New Jersey law.
Rojas Rojas faces charges including second-degree aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. 
The aggravated assault charge is also punishable by five to 10 years in state prison.
“This is exactly the type of proactive police work that removes illegal firearms from our streets,” Officer in Charge Murray said in a statement. “Our officers recognized the threat, acted decisively, and took two individuals into custody before anyone was seriously injured.”