Officials in Newark are reporting that police have recovered seven handguns and arrested three men and a juvenile on weapons charges since July 15, 2019.
Officials say on Wednesday detectives of the Criminal Intelligence Unit were patrolling the area of Edwin Place and Willoughby Street when they observed a 4-door gray 2013 Mercedes Benz C300 with no front plate and the driver not wearing a seatbelt.
Detectives attempted a motor vehicle stop, but the driver put the car in reverse and began driving erratically along Edwin Place, which is a one-way street according to police.
The driver struck a utility pole at Bragaw Avenue and Hobson Street. The driver and front-seat passenger both exited the vehicle, fleeing on foot.
According to police, Mr. Jahquill Turner, 30, of Newark, was apprehended in the rear of a Schuyler Avenue residence.
Police say, Mr. Najib Hall, 26, also of Newark, was arrested while still in the back seat of the suspect vehicle.
Police recovered a handgun, loaded with 20 ballpoint rounds and outfitted with an extended magazine, inside the vehicle. The driver of the suspect vehicle remains at large.
Turner and Hall each face charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon (large-capacity magazine). Hall further faces charges of obstructing the administration of the law and resisting arrest.
According to police, on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, police arrested Mr. Carlos Vega, 32, of Newark, who was being sought on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon in an incident that occurred on Monday, June 17th.
Shortly after 12:15 a.m., a man discharged a weapon in the area of Montclair Avenue near Broadway. Detectives investigating this incident identified Vega as a suspect and secured a warrant for his arrest. Vega was arrested without incident according to police.
Police say a 16-year old male from East Orange was arrested on July 16, 2019, on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon (large-capacity magazine and hollow point), obstructing the administration of the law and CDS possession.
At approximately 9:15 p.m., detectives patrolling the area of South 20th Street and 18th Avenue observed the male on the sidewalk riding a bike with no front lamp. As police approached, the male jumped off the bike and ran, tossing a black fanny pack that he had around his waist.
Police say the juvenile was apprehended in the 600 block of 18th Avenue. He was found in possession of seven vials of crack cocaine. Police recovered the fanny pack at in the 600 block of South 20th Street. It contained a handgun loaded with a hollow point round in the magazine.
According to police, Mr. Abdule Tellis, 49, of Newark, was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, certain persons prohibited from weapon possession, obstructing the administration and making a false report to law enforcement after police responded to University Hospital on Saturday, July 13, on a call of a man with a gunshot wound.
Police say, Tellis, the victim, stated that he had been shot in the 100 block of Crane Street.
Detectives investigating this incident later determined that he had shot himself. Tellis was arrested on July 16 and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, obstructing the administration of the law and making a false report to law enforcement.
These charges are merely accusations.
The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police also recovered four additional handguns from our streets. At approximately 9:15 p.m. last night, detectives in the area of Avon Avenue and South 19th Street recovered two loaded handguns.
On July 16, police patrolling the 100 block of Hawkins Street recovered a loaded handgun lying on the ground in the parking lot of the Hyatt Court housing complex.
Police recovered a rifle that was discovered in a vacant apartment in the 100 block of N. Munn Avenue on July 15. On the same day, detectives canvassing the 400 block of 4th Avenue recovered a loaded handgun along with a yellow plastic bag containing 12 red vials of marijuana, a sandwich baggie of marijuana and a third small bag of marijuana.
Detectives are actively investigating the found weapons. Director Ambrose urges anyone with information to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.