Unsanctioned Car Meetup In Bergen County Leads To Questionable Arrest

Unsanctioned car meetups have become somewhat common in New Jersey. As the Garden State is the most densely populated in the nation, the scale of these meetups should not come as a surprise. But when hundreds of vehicles take over a highway, participants can expect serious consequences. This was made clear after a recent unsanctioned car meetup in Bergen County.

More Than 500 Vehicles Participate in Bergen County Meetup 

In November of 2024, various sources reported that a teen had been arrested after participating in an unlicensed car meetup in Bergen County. The incident occurred on Route 4, and it began when police spotted four individuals wearing ski masks getting into a vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The driver of this vehicle then attempted to evade an officer and violated several traffic laws in the process.

After the pursuit, the vehicle pulled over and stopped on Route 17. The arresting officer then searched the teen’s vehicle, locating what appeared to be a black handgun. However, it was later determined that this was in fact a replica BB gun. As a result of this incident, the 18-year-old driver was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including eluding an officer, possession of a weapon, and various traffic violations.

There are notable unanswered questions regarding this arrest. First, the police themselves admit that they do not know whether the vehicle in question was participating in the car meetup. If their participation in the event was unclear, then why were they pursued?

One might argue that wearing ski masks is highly suspicious behavior. However, there is no law against wearing a ski mask while driving in New Jersey. Some lawmakers have introduced legislation that would ban people from wearing masks in public, but this law has not yet passed. Due to the recent pandemic, banning masks is seen as somewhat controversial.

There is also the question of the BB gun. There is nothing inherently illegal about owning a BB gun in New Jersey, although these are considered firearms under state law. In addition, there are specific rules about transporting BB guns in vehicles. They must be locked in a proper box/case or in the trunk. Since this teen allegedly had his BB gun in the side door compartment, this likely constitutes a criminal offense. That being said, the teen may have had a valid license to possess this firearm.

Regardless of the legality of the firearm, the pursuit and subsequent search may have been unconstitutional. If there is no law against wearing masks while driving and the teens were not actively participating in the meetup, then what right did the police have to pursue them?

Can a Bergen County Traffic Defense Attorney Help Me? 

If you are facing charges due to an unsanctioned car meetup, consider a consultation with an experienced New City criminal defense lawyer. Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law understands that these meetups can lead to various criminal charges – and we can help you fight for your rights. Reach out today to discuss potential defense strategies.

Sources: 

patch.com/new-jersey/paramus/driver-arrested-after-police-spot-4-people-ski-masks-route-4

northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2024/09/16/nj-gubernatorial-candidate-clarifies-intent-of-bill-banning-masks/75253417007/