Illegal Firearms, Ammunition, Body Armor, Explosives Seized in Totowa Home

TOTOWA, NJ - Totowa resident Kyle Arena, 35, was arrested on Tuesday after an anonymous tip led to an investigation into his alleged reckless activities involving firearms, Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano announced.

According to a statement, the tip, received via email, detailed a series of “alarming” behaviors, including posts in various Facebook groups where Arena allegedly shared images of firearms, including pointing them at people while driving. The tip also included screenshots of comments in a gun enthusiast group, "Meal Team 6.1 Mid-Tier Main Group," along with a photo showing a person pointing a gun out of a car window.

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Totowa Police launched an investigation into Arena's background and activities, conducting a firearms check and reviewing posts within the Facebook group to corroborate the information provided. Based on the evidence gathered, the department obtained a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order (TERPO), which allowed police to search Arena's home located on Lincoln Avenue and temporarily seize all firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons.

With assistance from the Passaic County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Bomb units, the search was executed at Arena’s residence, where he lives with his parents. Authorities discovered a significant cache of illegal firearms hidden in a crawl space, along with 129 fully loaded high-capacity magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and several illegal edged weapons. Additionally, ballistic body armor, a helmet, and firearm parts were found. Four explosive devices were located during the search, some of which were detected by a K9 unit, and the devices were safely removed by the Bomb unit.

Arena was arrested without incident and charged with multiple firearms and weapons violations. He was processed by the Totowa Police Department and handed over to the Passaic County Sheriff's Department, where he awaits his detention hearing.

During the search, Felix Arena, 66, Kyle's father, was arrested for disorderly conduct, terroristic threats, and resisting arrest. He was later released pending a court appearance.

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