Police officials in Newark are reporting the arrest of two suspects wanted for two separate robberies on Tuesday afternoon.
Police said on January 22nd at around 2:00 am, victims reported that they were in the area of Lyons Avenue and Willoughby Street when they were robbed by two suspects who brandished an assault-type weapon.
According to police, the suspects took personal property including, cash, electronics, and a watch from the victims before running from the scene.
Police said at around 4:15 pm while walking on Bergen Street, the two victims recognized the suspects that robbed them at gunpoint prompting them to immediately call the police.
Authorities said the victims provided a description of the suspects to responding officers who canvassed several blocks and found one of the men fitting the description.
As the officers approached, the suspect raised his arms to surrender, revealing an AR-15 assault-type weapon tucked in his waist area police said.
Authorities said the officers immediately seized the weapon which was determined to be a paintball gun.
Police said as the arrest was occurring, other officers responded to a report of a burglary occurring at 75 Scheerer Avenue where officers arrived and arrested the suspect who had unlawfully entered the residence.
Police said the individual matched the description of the second suspect from yesterday’s robbery on Lyons Avenue and Willoughby Street.
Through their investigation, Newark Robbery Squad detectives determined that both men were suspects in the robbery of the two victims and a commercial robbery that occurred at a bodega located in the 100 block of Bragraw Avenue on Sunday where the suspects allegedly brandished a gun and took cash during the commercial robbery Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.
Director Ambrose identified the suspects as Mr. Shakir Berrian, 24 (pictured with dreads) and Mr. Tarrance Atkins, 23, both of Newark.
Police charged both men with two counts each of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
Director Ambrose said Terrace faces the additional charge of Criminal Trespass for unlawfully entering the residence on Scheerer Avenue where at the time of his arrest, police said Berrian wore a watch taken from one of the victims during the street robbery.