An adult male and two juvenile males were arrested early this morning by Essex County sheriff’s officers and charged with robbery with bodily injury authorities said .
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Patrol Division were conducting quality of life operations in the area of Newark’s Riverbank Park shortly after midnight when they were flagged down near the intersection of Raymond Boulevard and Somme Street by a 42-year-old male victim who had just been assaulted and robbed by three suspects.
“The victim, an East Orange private security officer, told our officers that he was returning home from work when three young suspects attacked him from behind, punching him in the back of the head and knocking him to the ground before rifling through his pockets,” Sheriff Fontoura stated.
Taken in the robbery were the victim’s smart phone, iPod, wallet and $50 cash.
“We placed the victim into our cruiser and canvassed the area,” Fontoura added. “Within minutes, we came across three suspects who the victim positively identified as the persons who robbed him.”
Najee Taylor, 19, along with a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old who are all residents of Newark’s Hawkins Street, were placed under arrest and charged with the crime.
Early this morning, Newark municipal court Judge Marvin Adames set bail on Taylor at $100,000 and he was lodged at the county jail where he awaits arraignment.
The two juveniles were remanded to the Essex County Youth Detention Center where they await a hearing on their charges in Family Court.