Vladimir Baires-Hernandez
An Atlantic City man arrested with a handgun allegedly was giving it to his younger brother to rob other kids.
Vladimir Baires-Hernandez, 21, was arrested last week, after tips came into police about a man with a handgun near Sovereign and Atlantic avenues, police said.
Police found Baires-Hernandez in the area holding the right side of his waistband, a common stance when someone is hiding a gun, Assistant Prosecutor Zachary Massey told the judge Friday.
A pat down led to a Polymer 80 handgun with no serial number, hollow-point ammunition and a large-capacity magazine, according to the charges.
But there is no evidence that Baires-Hernandez used the gun or gave it to anyone else, defense attorney Andrew Imperiale argued.
The tip came from an anonymous text through the tip411 system, he noted.
"Nothing provided to your honor suggested that tip was authenticated," Imperiale told Judge Jorge Coombs.
There are no robbery or conspiracy charges filed, and no indication that he is even under investigation for such crimes, Imperiale added.
Instead, he said his client is a hard worker who helps provide for his family and has strong ties to the community. A letter Baires-Hernandez's sister wrote to the court echoed that, he said.
The judge agreed, noting that Baires-Hernandez has no criminal history and that the public safety assessment used to help determine whether a defendant is held pretrial under bail reform recommended release.
Coombs released Baires-Hernandez with the requirement to check in with the court once a month by phone.
NOTE: This story originally ran Feb. 12, 2025. It has been updated with details from the detention hearing.
