Long Beach Man Arrested on Weapon, Drug Charges

A Long Beach man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly being found with drugs and a handgun during a routine traffic stop in Island Park.

According to Nassau County detectives, around 10:09 p.m., Fourth Precinct police officers witnessed Jesus Nunez, 25, of Island Park operating a 2002 Ford without a seat belt. Police said the vehicle's stereo was also extremely loud and several items were hanging from his rearview mirror. Seated in the front passenger seat was Jerome Harkless, 21, of Long Beach.

The vehicle was stopped on Railroad Place and as officers approached they observed Nunez in possession of a brown cigarette containing a substance believed to be marijuana, police said. It was also determined that he was operating the vehicle without a valid driver's license.

When Harkless was questioned, police stated that he produced a bag containing a substance believed to be marijuana from his pant's pocket. Both defendants were then removed from the vehicle.

During a search of Harkless a loaded .45 caliber handgun was recovered from his waistband, police said. Both defendants were placed into custody without incident. No injuries were reported.

Nunez was charged with unsafe backing on a roadway, driver operation of a motor vehicle without seatbelt, loud amplification system, obstructed driver’s view, unlicensed operation and unlawful possession of marijuana. He will appear at First District Court in Hempstead on Aug. 15.

Harkless was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, unlawful possession of marijuana and a Long Beach warrant for riding a bicycle on sidewalk. He will be arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead on Sunday.