MV STOP/GUN ARREST

On Saturday night, at approximately 11:45 P.M., Detectives Farrell and Kavakich of the Clifton Police Tactical Narcotics Team, conducted a motor vehicle stop on a suspicious vehicle that they observed traveling through the Botany Village section of Clifton. The vehicle was occupied by two male parties, both of whom were determined to be known "Bloods" gang members. While the detectives were in the process of verifying their identities, the passenger, later identified as Michael Vega (32) of Passaic, was observed repeatedly reaching into his jacket pocket . In response, Detective Kavakich removed Vega from the vehicle, conducted a frisk of his person, and located a loaded 9mm "Taurus" handgun inside Vega's jacket pocket. Vega was placed under arrest and conveyed to police headquarters where he was charged with "Unlawful Possession of a Firearm" and other weapons and ammunition related offenses. Vega, a convicted felon, was additionally charged with a statute prohibiting people that have been convicted of a crime from possessing weapons. His bail was set at $200,000.