A Hackensack man and his sister have been arraigned for pellet gun shootings in mid-March in Hackensack.

26-year-old Nicholas Battaglia was allegedly shooting at people standing near a Pizza Hut parking lot across from his apartment.

When detectives searched the area, they immediately focused on Mr. Battaglia’s apartment. They knocked on the door and spotted the box for an air rifle inside the apartment. Once inside the apartment, police recovered a .177 caliber Crosman Air Rifle.

Mr. Battaglia and his sister, 30-year-old Rebecca Battaglia, were arrested. Mr. Battaglia was charged with various weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a weapon. Meanwhile, Ms. Battaglia was charged with covering up the crime.

In New Jersey, unlawful possession of a pellet gun is addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5. Even if a person possesses a lawfully purchased pellet gun, he or she can face serious serious criminal charges. According to the statute, unlawful possession of a pellet gun can be classified as a second degree criminal offense. If convicted of second degree weapons possession, Mr. Battaglia might face a term of imprisonment of between five (5) and ten (10) years in state prison.

Mr. Battaglia remains in the Bergen County Jail on $75,000.00 bail.

To learn more about this case, check out the CliffviewPilot.com article entitled “Arraignments for Brother, Sister in Hackensack Pellet Gun Shootings.“