Police yesterday seized a small cache of weapons and ammo from the Totowa, NJ, home of troubled Giants star Plaxico Burress, possibly setting up the suspended grid star for more legal trouble, law-enforcement sources said.
If the guns are unlicensed, the embattled wide receiver could face additional charges in New Jersey on top of the felony gun-possession charges he was slapped with after shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub last month.
Burress was not at home when the search warrant was executed by Totowa police, the NYPD and officials from the Manhattan DA’s Office yesterday morning – although his wife was home, sources said.
Seized in the raid were one 9 mm handgun, a rifle and ammo for three additional guns – a .380, a .45 and a .40, which is the caliber of gun with which he accidentally shot himself in the leg.
Cops also took black, bloodied jeans from his bedroom, as well as sneakers, which will be tested by Manhattan authorities as potential evidence in the nightclub shooting case, sources said.
Also found in the execution of the search warrant – but not seized, since it was unconnected to any criminal allegations – was a suitcase full of money, sources said.
Totowa police chief Robert Coyle denied that any such suitcase had been found, telling the Associated Press Thursday that it was not true.
An NYPD spokesman said any additional charges in the case would likely come out of New Jersey. Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano would not comment last night on the case.
Benjaman Brafman, Burress’ criminal lawyer, said last night that he was aware of police recovering only a rifle from the Burress home.
“I believe it was registered, but we’re looking into that now. I’m not informed at this time that he is facing additional charges,” Brafman said.
“It is not illegal in New Jersey to have a registered weapon in your home,” he said.
Brafman would only say that his client is “out of town,” declining to elaborate.
Burress accidentally shot himself at the Latin Quarter Midtown nightspot on Nov. 29 after fumbling with an unlicensed handgun tucked in his waistband, authorities say.
He checked himself into New York-Cornell Hospital under another name and the hospital has been accused of violating state law by not reporting the shooting.
Burress later turned himself in to face charges and was suspended by the Giants.
An e-mail to Burress’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was not immediately returned.
Additional reporting by Ed Robinson and Tim Perone