A gun that has missing from the Newark Police Department since 1987 was recovered after a traffic stop by Delaware State Police.
Newark Police then arrested 48-year-old John H. Brierley, Jr of Bear for possession of a stolen firearm and a related offense.
On January 17, State Police stopped a vehicle driven by Brierley and saw a .22 cal revolver in the vehicle. A computer check of the serial number revealed that it was reported stolen from the Newark Police Department in 1987.
Delaware State Police notified Newark Police who determined that after an internal audit of the evidence storage facility, the gun was found to be missing. It was entered into the National Crime Computer as a stolen firearm.
Newark Police arrested Brierley on February 27th, and charged him with Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Brierley was released on $15,000 unsecured bond.
I wonder if he is related to former Newark Police Chief Bill Brierley…..??