Several inboxed messages from residents around Newark's South Ward to RLS Metro for a low flying helicopter had Newark Police issuing this report a short time ago.
According to Newark Police Dorector Anthony Ambrose, the department’s helicopter unit NPD1 helped members of the Special Enforcement Bureau arrest 3 suspects, confiscate two illegal motorcycles and issue 22 traffic tickets.
Accordig to Director Ambrose, in an effort to target individuals’ ridings illegal 2 and 4 wheeled off-road motorcycles, and those engaged in other illegal activities, the department’s helicopter was observing activities from the air while directing Special Enforcement detectives in cars to the locations.
Authorities said 18-year-old, Newark resident, Davon Anderson was arrested shortly after 5pm, NPD1 observed him riding a “dirt bike” recklessly throughout the streets in the city’s South Ward.
Anderson crashed while attempting to negotiate a turn near the intersection of Avon and Farley Avenues authorities said.
Special Enforcement Officers were directed to where he crashed and arrested him as he was attempting to restart the motorcycle and flee.
Director Ambrose said, "The helicopter keeps officers in cars from having to chase suspects in vehicles and needlessly endanger the lives of our residents.”
Anderson who was treated for minor injuries and released was issued numerous traffic tickets and charged with eluding police.
Authorities said shortly before Anderson’s arrest, the helicopter also aided in the arrest of Talik Washington, 34, of Newark for possession of marijuana near the intersection of South 18th Street and 18th Avenue.
Washington was charged with possession of heroin according to police.
NPD1 aided in a motor vehicle stop of a car being driven recklessly and at a high rate of speed by directing Special Enforcement detectives to the car’s location on So 15th Street.
The stop resulted in the arrest of the driver Addie Eley, 39, of Newark who was issued numerous traffic tickets and arrested for having heroin in his possession authorities said.
The helicopter also directed the detectives to the streets near West Side Park where they confiscated a quad from a 13-year-old who was issued summonses before releasing him to his parents.
Director Ambrose stated, “The helicopter is a useful tool. It enables us to arrest fleeing suspects in vehicles without having to chase them, as noted by the narcotic arrests, it also enables arrests to be made through observations from the air that can’t be seen from the street.”
The use of the helicopter is continuing and ongoing. “We will continue to use the helicopter to target those who ride off-road motorcycles on our streets and to target other illegal activities,” stated Ambrose.
Ambrose is urging people to continue reporting crimes and quality of life complaints by utilizing the Department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers’ tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.