A 22-year-old Newark man was arrested yesterday for possessing a gun, drugs and ammunition said Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.
Firefighters and police officers from the 2nd Precinct forced their way into a 2nd Avenue apartment shortly before 11pm to extinguish a stove fire caused by an unattended burning pot.
Charles Bellina, who was unaware of the fire, was arrested after officers found him sleeping in a bed with a gun, heroin, cocaine and bullets at his side. Police were checking the apartment for sick or injured fire victims when they found Bellina.
Bellina is charged with possession of a handgun, possession of the handgun for unlawful purposes, possession of prohibited bullets, (dum-dum), possession of heroin and cocaine, possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent to distribute within a 1000ft of a school, and receiving stolen property. The handgun was stolen in Palm Bay, Florida.
These are accusations with the suspect innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Director Ambrose urged people to take advantage of our toll-free hotlines and help make Newark safer for everyone by utilizing the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper 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.