BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (PRESS RELEASE) – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor announced the arrest of Jorge L. Mercado, age 24, of Branchburg, New Jersey, for possessing a stolen firearm and several related criminal charges.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at approximately 6:40 a.m. Branchburg Township Police responded to a residence on Burnt Mills Road for a report of a verbal dispute. Upon arrival of the investigating officer, he met with Jorge Mercado in the driveway of the residence. The officer spoke with Mr. Mercado and directed him to remain in the driveway while the officer met with the complainant inside of the residence.
While inside the residence the complainant advised that a verbal dispute had occurred earlier with Mr. Mercado. The officer was directed to a handgun which was in plain view, belonging to Mr. Mercado, in an open lunch box on the kitchen table. The firearm was loaded with a large capacity ammunition magazine which contained hollow point bullets. A National Crime Information Center (NCIC) check of the firearm through Somerset County Communications Center revealed that that the firearm had been reported stolen in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. A follow-up check also revealed that Mr. Mercado is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The responding officer then exited the residence to speak with Mr. Mercado who had fled the area on foot. A search of the area with the assistance of additional Branchburg Officers yielded negative results in locating Mr. Mercado.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that at approximately 3:50 p.m. Branchburg Township Officers returned to Burnt Mills Road where they discovered Jorge Mercado hiding inside of the residence. Mr. Mercado was arrested without incident. A subsequent consent search of the vehicle which defendant Mercado had been operating revealed a fraudulent check that had been stolen from a company which he is not affiliated with.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that defendant Mercado was charged with:
• 2nd degree Certain Persons Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm
• 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property
• 3rd degree Theft
• 4th degree Possession of Hollow Point Bullets
• 4th degree Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine
• 4th degree Obstructing the Administration of Law; and
• Disorderly Persons Harassment
Defendant Mercado was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor McDonald and Chief Fodor request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Branchburg Township Police Department at (908) 526-3830 or via the STOPit app.