An armed and dangerous man wanted for an aggravated assault shooting in Orange was captured after a crime spree that stretched to Morris County Friday.
According to a statement released by Morris County authorities, Mr. Howard Parks, 54, of East Orange, was captured and charged with first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree Carjacking, third-degree Receiving Stolen Property, and disorderly person Assault by Auto.
Parks is wanted in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Morris and Essex counties.
RLS Media initially learned that Park's alleged reign of terror began on March 25 when police responded to reports of shots fired inside Orange Park in Essex County.
Police arrived and learned that Parks fired several bullets at a car before fleeing the scene.
According to Morris County authorities, yesterday (April 1), officers from the Mount Olive Police Department responded to the Walmart parking lot in Flanders to assist the South Orange Police Department with an ongoing carjacking investigation.
While on scene at approximately 12:04 p.m., police learned of a carjacking that had just taken place from the parking lot.
Police say Parks actor made a threat to kill the victim during the course of stealing the vehicle.
At approximately 12:24 p.m., the Mount Olive Police Department learned of an attempted bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank located in Flanders involving the same actor.
Police said Parks pretended to possess a firearm and passed a note demanding money. Parks reportedly fled the area before obtaining any money from the bank.
At approximately 12:33 p.m., after leaving the bank, polices say Parks was involved in a motor vehicle crash near the intersection of Eland Avenue and Route 10 in Randolph. The driver of the vehicle involved in this crash sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Following the collision, police said Parks attempted to steal another vehicle but was taken into custody before being able to leave the scene.
Members of the Mount Olive Police Department, the Randolph Township Police Department, the Roxbury Township Police Department, the South Orange Police Department, the West Orange Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and other MCPO detectives all took part in this investigation. If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.