Crime & Safety

Man Caught with Weapon at Burlco Courthouse: Authorities

The Mount Ephraim man was found with a pistol in his briefcase and a dagger in his car, according to the Burlington County Sheriff's Department.

A Camden County man was arrested Wednesday after he tried to enter the Burlington County Courts facility in Mount Holly with a weapon, authorities said.

John P. Flanagan, 53, of the 200 block of James Street, Mount Ephraim, was attempting to pass through security at the court facility around 8 a.m. when sheriff's officers discovered a single-action pistol—a Chinese-make, .22-caliber, starter blank revolver 8-shot—in a briefcase that was run through the x-ray machine, according to a release from the sheriff's department.

Officers immediately identified the weapon and placed Flanagan under arrest before he went through the checkpoint, the release stated.

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"The officers did a wonderful job in quickly recognizing and responding to this situation," said Sheriff Jean Stanfield. "This is exactly the type of situation we are here to prevent and I am very proud of the officers for their continued vigilance."

Flanagan was scheduled to appear in family court the morning of his arrest.

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Upon later examination, authorities discovered the weapon may have been modified to shoot projectiles. It has been submitted to the New Jersey State Police Ballistics Unit for further analysis.

A dagger was found during a subsequent search of Flanagan’s vehicle, according to the sheriff's department. 

Flanagan was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (imitation firearm), possession of a prohibited weapon (dagger) and violation of a domestic violence restraining order.

Bail was set at $50,000 by Judge John L. Call. Flanagan was lodged in Burlington County Jail.

Information provided by the Burlington County Sheriff's Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.


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