PARK RIDGE, N.J. — A report of two dogs running at large led officers to recover a handgun, a large-capacity ammunition magazine and hollow-point ammunition near Kinderkamack Road, police said.
Chief Joseph Rampolla announced Oct. 22 that Chance Whiting, 27, of Aynor, South Carolina, was arrested in connection with the discovery.
Police said Officers Charles Davies and Thomas Arcaro responded to the area at approximately 8:07 p.m. Oct. 21 on a report of a borough ordinance violation involving dogs running at large. While attempting to contain the two small dogs, Arcaro noticed two backpacks, a disassembled tent, a laptop, dog leashes and toys near bushes, police said.
Police said Arcaro peered into an unzipped backpack while attempting to identify the apparently discarded or abandoned property. Inside, he saw a holstered semiautomatic 9 mm handgun, a large-capacity magazine containing hollow-point ammunition and information identifying Whiting as the owner of the backpack and other property, according to the release.
Officers secured the evidence, and Detective Michael Albanese responded to assist with the investigation. Davies and Arcaro soon returned to the location for a reported dispute in progress. They found Whiting standing near the property, police said. Following further investigation, officers arrested him and took him to police headquarters for processing.
Whiting was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, fourth-degree possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine and fourth-degree possession of hollow-point ammunition. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, police said.
Rampolla thanked the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department and the Montvale and Woodcliff Lake police departments for their assistance. The charges are accusations. Whiting is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.