Man Arrested for Handgun Possession, Theft of Candy at Convenience Store

WILDWOOD- Members of the Wildwood Police Department Uniform Patrol Division, responded to the 7-Eleven convenience store at 3501 New Jersey Ave. in Wildwood, in connection to a reported shoplifter Sept. 26 at approximately 12:30 a.m.
Shortly thereafter, police officers detained an individual in connection to the investigation. Accordingly, the store clerk positively identified this individual as being responsible for the theft from the store. This individual was identified as Jose Roman-Maldonado, 23, currently employed at a local restaurant as a dishwasher.
During the ensuing investigation, Roman-Maldonado was found to be in possession of $5 in assorted candy, which was identified as proceeds of the theft. Additionally, Roman-Maldonado was found to be armed with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and approximately $6,000. During the investigation it as determined that the handgun was stolen out of Wildwood in September 2012 and the handgun magazine contained hollow-point rounds of ammunition which is ammunition capable of breaching or penetrating body armor. The money was seized in connection to this investigation. Will be submitted for forfeiture as being derived as proceeds of criminal activity.
As a result of the investigation, Roman-Maldonado was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, crime of the third degree, receiving stolen property, crime of the third degree, possession of hollow point ammunition, crime of the fourth degree, certain person not to possess firearms, crime of the fourth degree, criminal simulation, crime of the third degree, and shoplifting, disorderly persons offense.
Judge Dorothy Garrabrant, of Wildwood Municipal Court, set bail at $60,000 full cash, no 10 percent. Roman-Maldonado was unable to post bail and was incarcerated in the Cape May County Correctional Center.