Jersey City police say 20-year-old had loaded handgun in his waistband while hanging out on street

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A tip led to the arrest of a Jersey City man Tuesday afternoon on charges he was hanging out with a handgun in his waistband at Bergen and Lexington avenues in an area known for shootings and gang and narcotics activity, officials said yesterday.

Justin Nesmith, 20, of Mallory Avenue, was spotted at Lexington and Kennedy Boulevard at 2:43 p.m. and charged with firearm offenses including possession of hollow-point bullets, reports said.

When the officers spotted Nesmith he was adjusting his sweatshirt and the cops spotted the black handle of the .45 caliber semiautomatic, reports said.

The officers got out of the cruiser, ordered Nesmith to stop and immediately grabbed the gun, which had one round in the chamber and five more in the magazine, reports said.

MICHAELANGELO CONTE