🚔 TEEN ARRESTED AFTER AIRSOFT GUN FOUND DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN FAIRFIELD

📍 FAIRFIELD, NJ — A 19-year-old Staten Island man was arrested Sunday after Fairfield police say an airsoft pellet gun with its orange safety tip removed was discovered during a traffic stop on Route 46.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, Officer Patrick Reynolds was patrolling Route 46 near Clinton Road around 3:12 a.m. on August 9 when he allegedly observed a black Chevrolet Camaro drift over the white lane line.

Police conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Clinton Road and Route 46. The driver was identified as 19-year-old Jhonny Yupa of Staten Island, New York.

During the investigation, officers allegedly observed multiple bottles of alcoholic beverages inside the vehicle. Police said an odor of alcohol was also detected, prompting standardized field sobriety testing. According to authorities, the tests did not indicate that Yupa was operating the vehicle under the influence.

Police said Yupa allegedly acknowledged that the open containers belonged to him. Officers seized the bottles, and during their removal, allegedly discovered an airsoft spring-style pellet gun.

Authorities said the orange tip had been removed from the airsoft gun, allegedly making it appear more like a real firearm. 🔫

Yupa was arrested and charged with fourth-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, which was placed on a summons. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to maintain lane, driving with a suspended license, and possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage.

Yupa is scheduled for a mandatory appearance in Essex County Superior Court on September 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

⚖️ IMPORTANT: The charges are allegations, and Yupa is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.