NPD1, the City of Newark Department of Public Safety’s helicopter, was instrumental in the apprehension of a juvenile suspected of a car theft Tuesday morning.
According to police the patrolman manning NPD1 at approximately 2 a.m. alerted officers in the area of Central Avenue and South 10th Street that a vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. NPD1 continued advising the ground officers via police radio of the direction of the vehicle, a 2016 Audi A3, which had been reported stolen.
When the vehicle came to a stop on Quitman Street, four suspects exited and fled. The NPD1 patrolman advised the pursing officers of the exact location of the vehicle, leading to the arrest of one of the suspects authorities said.
"This is yet another example that NPD1 enables arrests to be made from observations from the air that can’t be seen from the street,” said City of Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Director Ambrose is urging residents to immediately contact police if they have additional information 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.