Cedar Grove Cops Find Handgun, Bullets In Car: Police

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — Two Minnesota men were arrested after police found a handgun, bullets, and marijuana during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon.

Three members of a band were in the car when police stopped it when they were on their way to a local bar, said Chief Joseph Cirasa.

Officer Joseph Ligas smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and police searched the vehicle, Cirasa said.

Police found a jar with marijuana inside, an unloaded Smith & Wesson M&P .45-caliber handgun, and four magazines loaded with hollow-point bullets, Cirasa said.

The driver was not arrested and released. Two passengers, Kevin Pipkorn, 39, and James Orput, 32, were arrested and charged, the chief said.

Pipkorn was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Cirasa said.

Orput was charged with possession of a handgun, possession of hollow-point bullets, and possession of marijuana under 50 grams, the chief said.

Orput said the gun was "for personal protection," Cirasa said. He was taken to the Essex County Jail to await a bail hearing, he said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com