Police Seize Handgun and Marijuana

Police Seize Handgun and Marijuana
 
On Thursday, August 8^th 2019 at 16:51 PM, Officer Joseph Ligas of the Cedar Grove Police Department seized a handgun, and marijuana. The incident began with a routine traffic stop. The vehicle was occupied by three occupants, band members, in route to a local bar. While speaking with the subjects Officer Ligas detected the odor of marijuana emanating from both the occupants and the subject vehicle. Officers Schneider and Sgt Parisi arrived to assist. A subsequent search of revealed a jar with marijuana, paraphernalia and an unloaded Smith & Wesson M&P a 45 Cal. automatic handgun along with four magazines loaded with hollow point ammunition. The two male passengers were arrested without incident. The vehicle operator was not charged and later released from the scene. Arrested were Kevin Pipkorn, age 39, of Minneapolis, Minnesota for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and James Orput, age 32, of Minneapolis Minnesota for, possession of a handgun, possession of hollow point bullets and possession of marijuana under 50 grams. Orput, a resident of Minnesota, explained that the firearm was for personal protection. However transportation of firearm in the State of New Jersey is lawful only when the firearm is lawfully possessed in both the place they had come from and the place they were going. The Essex County Prosecutors Office authorized the charges. Pipkorn was charged then released. Orput was charged, processed, and then transported to Essex County Jail to await a bail hearing.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.       
                       
The Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs.  The police department telephone number is 973-239-4100 and in case of emergency 9-1-1.