On Tuesday, May 14th at 4:12 p.m., Patrolman Nicholas Vaughan stopped a 2007 Scion for alleged traffic violations in the area of West Westfield Avenue at the northbound ramp of the Garden State Parkway – Exit 137. The passenger, Travis Dulk, 27 of Roselle Park, was found in possession of several bags of suspected cocaine and several alleged narcotic pills. While he was being searched, police discovered a loaded handgun tucked in his waistband. The firearm was found to be loaded with hollow point bullets. Dulk was then transported from the scene to the Roselle Park Police Department (RPPD) where Mr. Dulk was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of CDS/Cocaine, Possession of CDS, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of hollow point bullets, and Possession of a weapon / knife. Bail was set in Roselle Park Municipal Court at $115,000.
During the investigation, Dulk provided police with his consent to search his residence. Upon entering the home, police discovered several firearms and an undisclosed suspicious device that necessitated the response of the Union County Police Department’s Bomb Squad. Police evacuated the area then re-entered the home around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. During a subsequent search, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, several firearms, and several large-capacity magazines were recovered from the home. Additional criminal charges are currently pending against Dulk during this ongoing criminal investigation.
Mayor Joseph Accardi thanked Roselle Park’s emergency services, stating, “The Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Roselle Park Police Department, the Fire Department, and First Aid Squad – in coordination with the Union County Police Department Bomb Squad – did a great job handling a potentially dangerous situation as well as working together during the initial and ongoing investigation. OEM has determined that there is no impending threat to the community at this time.”
The Roselle Park School District (RPSD) provided further information in a notice released this morning regarding the matter. According to Superintendent Patrick Spagnoletti, the police discovered an unregistered gun in Mr. Dulk’s possession during their inspection of the vehicle. The RPSD notice revealed the suspect’s address to be one of the four units at 112 Filbert Street, located directly behind Dunkin’ Donuts. During a search of the premises, the police found PVC pipe, a small amount of black powder, additional guns, several rounds of ammunition, and narcotics. The four-unit apartment building was the only building evacuated, and only for a short period of time. None of the components were assembled, and there was no immediate threat to any person or property. Upon further investigation it appeared as if the materials found were related to possible drug dealings in another jurisdiction.
The Board Of Education stated, “There is absolutely no indication that any person, building, or school in Roselle Park was a potential target. The suspect is currently in the Union County Jail, and all hazardous materials have been removed from the suspect’s residence.”