HAMMONTON—A suspicious vehicle call made to local police led to an arrest and weapons charges for a man sleeping in a car in the rear portion of the Dollar Tree store after business hours on the White Horse Pike (Route 30) at 12:51 a.m. on September 28, Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said.
“The original call was for a suspicious vehicle that was in the parking lot,” Friel said.
Officer Matthew Heiser observed the vehicle in the rear portion of the Dollar Tree parking lot which was closed for business at the time, Friel said.
The vehicle was a 2005 blue BMW four-door sedan which was occupied by Isaac Santillan-Pimienta, 19, of Grove Port, Ohio, Friel said. He was wrapped in a blanket with only his face exposed and appeared to be sleeping, Friel said.
“Heiser woke him up and identified himself. The individual was making movements underneath the blanket and was asked to step out of the vehicle,” Friel said.
Santillan-Pimienta then attempted to reach behind the passenger seat, indicated that his identification was behind the seat and continually attempted to reach into the driver’s seat area, Friel said.
Heiser then observed a black in color loaded handgun magazine lying on the driver’s side floorboard, Friel said. Santillan-Pimienta was then placed in handcuffs and a backup officer secured the handgun magazine, Friel said.
“He was asked if there was a weapon in the vehicle which he responded yes. A loaded handgun was found in the vehicle in the passenger compartment under the driver’s seat,” Friel said.
Santillan-Pimienta was transported to police headquarters for processing and charged with the following offenses: unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun) and prohibited weapons and devices (high-capacity magazine).
He was transported to the Atlantic County Jail pending a court appearance in Atlantic County Superior Court, Friel said.
Friel said Heiser was the arresting and charging officer.
This report is comprised of arrests and investigations made by the men and women of local enforcement. All suspects and arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.