Paterson city detectives say they apprehended a 15-year-old overnight with a stolen high-powered handgun. 

The incident happened just before midnight near Rosa Parks Boulevard and Keen Street.

According to police, a black Kia blew through a stop sign. Detectives pulled the car over, and during the traffic stop, detectives found the loaded FN Herstal 5.7 x 28 handgun on a 15-year-old back seat passenger. Police say the weapon is extremely dangerous and fires high velocity assault rifle ammunition.

Police say the gun was reported stolen from Mount Olive. The news comes on the heels of Thursday’s announcement by the city about increased patrols in Paterson by the Passaic County Sheriff's Department to help get illegal guns off the street.

The juvenile will be detained at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center pending an initial judicial hearing.  

The recovered firearm will be submitted to the New Jersey State Police Ballistics Laboratory for further examination. The other juvenile occupants of the vehicle were released to their respective guardians and were not taken into custody.