Howell Township's newest furry, four-legged cop logs his first big bust, and it takes a handgun off the streets.

Opus (Howell Township Police Dept.)
Opus (Howell Township Police Dept.)
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On April 28, K-9 Officer Opus, fresh from academy training, sniffed out marijuana in a car that was pulled over on Route 195, and that led to the discovery of a semiautomatic weapon and the arrests of two suspects from Neptune City, according to township police.

Kahdeem J. Robinson, 27, is charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Robinson's record keeps him detained in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in Freehold.

Crystal A. Killion, 26, was released to await proceedings for unlawful possession of a handgun, possesison of under 50 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and a handful of driving summonses.

Police said that after watching the 2001 Audi A4 range over the fog line several times at about midnight, Patrolman Vincent Bonner brought it to halt to address that, and also a non-working brake light.

Closer inspection revealed tinted front windows,no inspection sticker, and the aroma of raw marijuana, police said. According to Bonner, Robinson and Killion were vague about their start point, destination, and route.

At that point, he summoned K-9 Patrolman Jesse Moore and Opus, and Patrolmen Michael Silvani and Travis Horton.

Opus indicated the presence of drugs, triggering a search of the car that yielded a blunt and a grinder containing marijuana remnants. Folding down a rear passenger seat, officers spotted the black 9mm FEGP9R weapon, police said.

The gun was empty and no ammunition was found, but neither Robinson nor Killion claimed to own it, said police, who added that no information has turned up to indicate that it is stolen. Police impounded the car, pending forfeiture.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

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