Police in Newark are reportin that Joseph Brown, 24, of Irvington, was charged with a shooting, only weeks after having been released on a monitoring bracelet after being arrested for possession of a gun and narcotics.
According to police, on January 2nd, narcotics detectives, conducting an investigation in response to drug complaints in the Vailsburg section of the city, arrested Brown near the intersection of Vermont Avenue and Plymouth Street.
Police said Brown was charged with possession of a 9mm handgun, possession of the gun for unlawful purposes, possession of a large caliber magazine, possession of a handgun by prohibited persons, possession of CDS and receiving stolen property.
The handgun was reported stolen in 2012 out of Mount Olive, New Jersey.
According to police, on January 10th, Brown was released from jail and required to wear a monitoring bracelet.
On March 2nd, shots were fired at a residence on South 11th Street, where a red Jeep was seen fleeing the shooting scene.
While no one was injured during this incident, members of the Police Division’s Shooting Response Team initiated an investigation.
Detectives developed evidence that Joseph Brown is a suspect in this shooting and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
On March 5th, officers observed the red Jeep and attempted to pull it over. After a brief chase, the vehicle crashed into two parked cars. Brown ran from the Jeep, was apprehended and is charged with Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes, Certain Persons Prohibited from Weapons Possession, Resisting Arrest and Eluding. He was also issued numerous motor vehicle violations.
The shooting and the chase are crimes Brown committed subsequent to being released on January 10th, after a reformed bail hearing only eight days after his January 2nd arrest with a gun and drugs.
“Bail reform should be re-examined,” Director Ambrose said. “Brown is another example of a released suspect who posed a public safety threat to the residents of Newark. "
These charges are merely accusations.
The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.