Loaded Sawed Off Shotgun, 18 Knives, 4 Axes, Cocaine Found Inside Bridgewater Home: Police
BRIDGEWATER, NJ —
The Affidavit of Probable Cause obtained by Patch details what led to the arrest of Lance Chillemi, 38, of Bridgewater, and the discovery of his brother.
On Jan. 21, just before 6 p.m., Bridgewater Police Officers were called to 1614 Route 22 after a caller reported that he "shot his brother," and he was unresponsive, according to police records.
This initial report "prompted a significant police presence at the location," said Bridgewater Police Chief John Mitzak.
Police reported that they searched the home where they found a rifle upstairs. They also found that the initial report "was the result of miscommunication".
"No gunshot wounds were located, and the reporting party later stated that he had 'found his brother unresponsive'," according to police.
Based on the man's known drug history and the absence of any signs of trauma, it was determined that he had possibly died as a result of an overdose, according to police.
The cause and manner of death remain under investigation pending further examination by the New Jersey State Medical Examiner's Office.
Officers then began searching for any drugs in the home when they found a loaded Ruger handgun on a bedroom nightstand in plain view, according to police.
A criminal history check of Chillemi reportedly found prior convictions of manufacturing and/or distributing CDS or intent to manufacture CDS in 2011, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, burglary, resisting arrest/eluding in 2013, and unlawful possession of a weapon in 2013.
A search was conducted of Chillemi's room where police found a loaded Ruger Security-7 9mm handgun, a Rock Islan .45 ACP handgun, a loaded double-barrel sawed off shotgun, an M&P .22LR rifle, various holsters, 18 knives (one with a Nazi Swastika insignia, four axes or hatchets, one sword, a digital scale, a large quantity of plastic baggies, cocaine, and various amounts of ammunition, according to the report.
Chillemi was arrested and charged with the following offenses:
- Four counts of certain persons not to have weapons – second degree
- Two counts of certain persons not to have weapons – fourth degree
- Possession of a controlled dangerous substance – third degree
- Possession of drug paraphernalia - disorderly persons offense
- Possession of a prohibited weapon - third degree
Chillemi was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending his first court appearance.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Previous reporting: Dead Man Found Inside Bridgewater Home, Another Man Arrested On Weapon Charges
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