Newark Department of Public Safety’s Helicopter assisted in the arrest of a suspect who otherwise would have likely escaped from being arrested by members of the Police Division’s Special Investigation Bureau Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.
According to the director, Newark 1 was assigned to primarily support the efforts of members of the Special Investigation Bureau who are designated to engage in proactive crime reduction and quality of life abatement activities.
Authorities said a group of Special Investigation Detectives were patrolling in the southern portion of the city on Saturday when they observed an illegal off-road motorcycles being ridden recklessly near Weequahic Park.
The officers activated their police lights and sirens when the rider attempted to escape by first weaving violently through traffic before leaving the road riding into Weequahic Park authorities said.
Following at a safe distance, officers in the cars lost sight of the motorcyclist who was riding on the grass and behind trees and bushes as he attempted to hide his whereabouts.
The helicopter guided the ground officers to the motorcyclist whereabouts where he was arrested without further incident.
Police identified the cyclist as **31-year-old, Newark resident, Tyrone Williams.**
Police said William’s motorcycle was confiscated, he was arrested for eluding and issued 10 tickets for motor vehicle violations.
Director Ambrose stated without the helicopter’s vantage Williams would have likely avoided capture or the officers would have had to engage in a high speed chase in an attempt to capture Williams.
The helicopter provides a safer alternative to chasing fleeing suspects without having to chase and has become a vital and ongoing component in our crime fighting strategy.
**These are mere allegations lodged against Wiiliams. He is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**
Director Ambrose encourages anyone who has information about a crime of a quality of life to complaint and wishes to remain anonymous to please use our toll-free hotlines at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential.