Barnegat: CRU and Barnegat Officers Recover Handgun and Cocaine After Struggle

On October 20th at approximately 8:30pm, members of the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) were conducting an investigation in the area of Bowline Street when they observed a black Jeep driving recklessly which nearly struck several vehicles. The vehicle was operated by Hakeem Smith, 31, of Potomac Avenue in Barnegat.

Smith continued to drive recklessly and eventually was stopped by marked Barnegat Police vehicles on West Bay Avenue at Sandpiper Road. Smith was uncooperative and was removed from the vehicle by officers.

During the ensuing struggle, officers recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun that Smith had concealed on his person.

Smith was taken into custody after the struggle and was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun (2nd degree), certain persons not to possess a firearm (4th degree), possession of hollow point ammunition (4th degree), eluding (3rd degree), resisting arrest (3rd degree), and possession of cocaine (3rd degree).

“This is yet another example of our officers– who in this case included one of our new officers in just his third week of training– demonstrating outstanding policework to safely resolve a highly volatile situation,” said Chief Keith A. Germain.

Smith was lodged in the Ocean County Jail.