He started fighting against heroin after his daughter died four months ago from an overdose with her boyfriend

The gun range owner who was arrested alongside two others outside of a New York City tunnel with a cache of weapons turned into a self-styled vigilante after tragically losing his 20-year-old daughter to a heroin overdose this year.

John Cramsey, 50, who runs Higher Ground Tactical in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, was with Dean Smith, 52, and 29-year-old Kimberly Arendt when they were pulled over outside the Holland Tunnel on Tuesday.

Authorities first stopped the group for a cracked windshield, before multiple loaded guns, rifles, knives, ballistic vests and a camouflage helmet were discovered.

When questioned, they described themselves as self-styled vigilantes, according to reports, and were on their way to a Brooklyn hotel where they wanted to 'extract' a teenager from a bad situation that possibly involved heroin.

The trio was detained on the four-month anniversary of the day Cramsey's daughter, Alexandria 'Lexii' Cramsey, died of a heroin and fentanyl overdose.

The 20-year-old girl, who passed away on February 21, was found with her boyfriend, Marquillis Calhoun, who was also dead inside of a Pennsylvania house.

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John Cramsey, 50, (left) who runs Higher Ground Tactical in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, was with Dean Smith, 52, (right) and 29-year-old Kimberly Arendt when they were pulled over outside the Holland Tunnel in New York

Cramsey, whose daughter recently died of a heroin overdose, is seen smiling as they made their way towards the city

Three people have been arrested outside a New York City tunnel after police found this huge cache of weapons in their vehicle. The collection included rifles, ballistic vests and a camouflage helmet

They were detained on the four-month anniversary of the day Cramsey's daughter, Alexandria 'Lexii' Cramsey (pictured), died of a heroin overdose

The 22-year-old man died from a 'mixed drug toxicity' overdose, the Lehigh County coroner's office detailed in a report, according to The Morning Call.

As both deaths were ruled accidental, Cramsey, who is from Zionsville, Pennsylvania, near Allentown, started a mission to fight against heroin.

Following her death, the father consistently shared posts about it on Facebook and the battle against the drug.

In a post from February, he described himself as 'an addict' for his late-daughter, who worked as a professional model with three agencies in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Mexico.

'Now, I want to personally address the confusion of why we proudly display the 'SHOOT YOUR LOCAL HEROIN DEALER' decals,' Cramsey wrote. 'Who are you to judge me for my opinion.'

'Grow up and either get involved...or get out of here!' he added.

Cramsey also spoke in an interview not long after her death about visiting the place where she died in Allentown.

The 20-year-old girl (above), who died on February 21, was found with her boyfriend, Marquillis Calhoun, who was also dead. Cramsey consistently shared posts about her death and the battle against the drug on Facebook

Alexandria 'Lexii' Cramsey (above) worked as a professional model with three agencies in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Mexico

One of the gun clips had America written on and another had 'United We Stand'

A picture of the vehicle believed to be involved shows it covered with logos related to Higher Ground Tactical - a gun range based in Pennsylvania

According to The Morning Call, he said that he even laid down on the bed where she passed away inside a home.

'I wanted to see where she took her last breath,' Cramsey said. 'It was like Daddy tucking her in one last time.'

Just before he was arrested on Tuesday, Cramsey wrote on Facebook: 'I'm currently 11 miles outside of Brooklyn New York and going to a hotel to extract a 16 year old girl who went up there to Party with a few friends.

'One of those friends she went up there with will not be returning.

'This young lady from Wilkes Barre is scared and wants to come home. Last night she woke to find her friends body next to her in the same bed were her friend died of another heroin overdose.

'The Child named [censored] and she is from the Wilkes Barre area.

'A Facebook message to the Mother and the Brother with no response yet. I'm bringing her out of NY today and anybody else in that hotel that wants to go home too.'

Cramsey is believed to have made similar 'rescues' in recent months.

A picture of the fluorescent Dodge truck believed to be involved shows it covered with logos for the gun range. A sign in the back window reads: 'We The People'.

When Daily Mail Online reached Higher Ground Tactical by phone, they said they had heard something about the arrest but couldn't comment any further.

They posted this image of the Manhattan skyline shortly before they were arrested

Cramsey was seen posing next to the vehicle that was pulled over as it was heading to New York

Cramsey is believed to have tried to make similar rescues in the past few months

Smith and Cramsey talked on Facebook just hours before they reportedly left Pennsylvania for New York

Around 2,000 rounds of ammunition were also discovered inside, according to reports.

One of the gun clips had 'Merica' written on and another had 'United We Stand'.

WHAT WAS INSIDE THE TRUCK A pump action shotgun with a pistol grip and collapsible stock An SAR-98 Salamander Arms assault rifle 7 clips of ammunition for the rifle 4 9mm pistols 1 .45 caliber pistol, with several magazines A Kevlar bullet resistant helmet with camouflage cover Tactical goggles Night-vision goggles Body armor Advertisement

The Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting in the investigation.

They said there was 'no nexus to terrorism,' according to NBC New York.

Law enforcement sources said they were 'gun authorities.'

Authorities believe the suspects were in possession of the firearms as part of criminal activity, likely heroin related.

Drugs were also found in the vehicle along with the guns, according to one law enforcement official.

One of the suspects allegedly told officers they were on their way to Queens.

A source initially told CBS New York they were going to shoot a rival dealer.

The suspects reportedly said they wanted to save a friend who is on heroin and being held against her will in Brooklyn.

The trio was stopped on the New Jersey side of the tunnel around 8am (pictured on Tuesday morning)

The Joint Terrorism Task Force said on Tuesday they were monitoring the situation on Twitter (above)

Police are still working to verify their story and the investigation is ongoing.

The Holland Tunnel carries Interstate 78 under the Hudson River and connects Jersey City with Manhattan.

It is one of the busiest commuter routes into New York City.

More than 34million vehicles use it every year.

A Port Authority spokesman told Daily Mail Online: 'Astute Port Authority Police work led to the stoppage of a vehicle on the New Jersey side of the Holland Tunnel this morning, leading to the arrest of three individuals from the state of Pennsylvania on a variety of charges related to illegal possession of guns and ammunition.

'At this time, the investigation is continuing, but the agency does not believe the incident is terrorism-related

'At about 07.40 hours a motor vehicle was stopped by Port Authority Police at the Holland Tunnel, NJ Toll Plaza for an equipment violation (cracked windshield).

'Multiple weapons (Rifles and handguns) some loaded. Under arrest are 2 males in their 50's and a female in her 20's. Charges are pending.'

Authorities believe the suspects were in possession of the firearms as part of criminal activity, likely heroin related. The New Jersey entrance to the Holland Tunnel is pictured