POLICE BLOTTER: Prosecutor says resident attempted to disarm officer, with guns nearby, during home raid

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Englewood, New Jersey—Law enforcement raided a Thompson Avenue residence in Englewood on July 27 “following a tip of heavy drug dealing at the residence,” the county prosecutor announced.

Inside, officers struggled with a 30-year-old resident who attempted to disarm a law enforcement officer while three stolen handguns, hollow point bullets, and marijuana were nearby, the prosecutor’s office said.

Gavin Birthwright, 30, of Englewood, resisted arrest with the guns nearby, Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo said in a statement. His home had just been raided by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, and the Englewood and Dumont police departments.

In the bedroom with Birthwright—where the struggle took place—was 21-year-old Charle Sampson, also of Englewood. Two other individuals who are facing marijuana charges were also in the residence at the time of the raid.

Birthwright is accused of the following second degree crimes: three counts of possession of a firearm by a certain person prohibited to possess a firearm; three counts of possession of a firearm while in the course of possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana; and attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer.

Birthwright is also accused of: two counts of third degree receiving stolen property; third degree resisting arrest by use of physical force; fourth degree possession with the intent to distribute marijuana; two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine; and possession of hollow point bullets.

Birthwright was remanded to Bergen County Jail.

Sampson, who is awaiting trial while on bail, is accused of possession of a firearm while in the course of possessing with the intent to distribute marijuana (second degree); two counts of receiving stolen property (third degree); possession with the intent to distribute marijuana (fourth degree); two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine (fourth degree); and possession of hollow point bullets (fourth degree).

Deshawn Stephens, 29, of Englewood, was arrested at the scene and is charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana in a quantity of less than one ounce (fourth degree). He was remanded to Bergen County Jail on several outstanding warrants and is scheduled for a first appearance on Aug. 8.

Jaquis Roberts, 21, of Englewood, was also arrested at the scene and is charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, a disorderly persons offense.

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