🚨 EAST BRUNSWICK MAN CHARGED AFTER TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO GHOST GUN RECOVERY 🚔
East Brunswick police arrested Jose Luis Martinez Jr. after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a loaded ghost gun inside his vehicle. Detectives searched the car with a warrant after a police dog indicated the presence of illegal items.
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — An East Brunswick man is facing multiple weapons charges after a motor vehicle stop investigation led police to a loaded, unserialized handgun described as a “ghost gun.”
According to the East Brunswick Police Department, the investigation began on September 9, 2026, around 5:24 p.m., when a plainclothes officer in an unmarked vehicle observed a black Mercedes being driven recklessly on Civic Center Drive.
Police said the officer attempted to stop the vehicle as it entered the Wyndmoor Apartments. The driver, identified as Jose Luis Martinez Jr., 32, of East Brunswick, reportedly exited the vehicle and continued toward his apartment after the officer identified himself and ordered Martinez to stop.
Authorities said Martinez initially refused to cooperate and remotely locked the Mercedes. Additional officers and detectives responded, and Martinez was eventually taken into custody on an obstruction charge.
🔎 During the investigation, detectives developed suspicion that the vehicle could contain contraband. Martinez reportedly declined to consent to a search.
Middlesex County Sheriff's Officer Kevin Mastroserio and K-9 Jester responded and conducted an exterior sniff of the Mercedes. Police said Jester indicated the possible presence of narcotics.
Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant for the vehicle.
On September 15, officers executed the warrant and reported recovering a loaded 9mm handgun equipped with a Polymer80 frame. Police said the firearm did not have a serial number.
Authorities said the handgun contained a 15-round magazine, loaded with four hollow-point rounds and 10 full-metal-jacket rounds, along with another hollow-point round in the chamber.
📋 Martinez faces the following charges:
• Unlawful Possession of a Handgun • Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons • Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, identified as a ghost gun • Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, large-capacity magazine • Possession of Prohibited Ammunition, hollow-point ammunition
Martinez was taken into custody on September 18, processed and lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center.
East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco credited the officers, detectives and law enforcement partners involved in the investigation, including Officer Mastroserio and K-9 Jester.
🚨 IMPORTANT: The charges against Martinez are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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