2/26/2019 - Motor Vehicle Stop Leads to Recovery of Firearm, Narcotics and Money
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ - On Monday, February 25, 2019, at approximately 8:28 PM, officers from the Burlington Township Police Department conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Salem Road and Campus Drive on a black 2009 4-door Cadillac. That vehicle was operated by Elijah Martindale (20 year old male from Willingboro, NJ). During the stop, officers smelled the odor of raw marijuana. When the officers had Martindale exit the vehicle in order to conduct a search, they discovered he was armed with a loaded 9mm semi-automatic Taurus handgun in his waistband. Martindale was not licensed to possess the firearm. Additionally, during the search of the vehicle, the officers discovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and several hundred dollars that were all consistent with narcotic distribution.
Martindale was arrested and transported to the Burlington Township Police station where he was processed and charged with the following criminal offenses:
• One count unlawful possession of a weapon
• One count possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose
• One count possession of marijuana
• One count possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
• One count possession of drug paraphernalia
Martindale was ultimately released on a summons pending his initial appearance.