The Union Police Department is investigating an early morning attempted robbery of a correction officer.
Police received a 9-1-1 call at approximately 1:30 a.m. today from a man who reported that someone tried to rob him on Manor Drive.
Upon arrival, officers went to the 1800 block of Manor Drive and found the victim who told them the following; he was sitting in his car waiting for his son to come out of his apartment when three men came up to him and pointed a gun at him.
The suspect reportedly tapped on the window of the man’s car and looked into the car and was shocked to see him wearing a law enforcement type uniform.
The suspects cursed and suddenly ran away police said.
The man then called 9-1-1 and reported this to the police as the suspects fled on Manor Drive towards Irvington.
Near the crime scene, an officer observed a car that had multiple occupants, who refused to stop, but the driver disregarded the police and increased the speed of the car.
As the vehicle entered the Garden State Parkway south and exited onto Vauxhall Road, he apparently lost control of the car and struck a guard rail on Vauxhall Road.
Other officers arrived and removed the suspects from the car, which was not stolen, but was a rental car.
Officers found a black handgun (revolver) and face masks inside the car. The gun had the serial number filed off.
The four occupants were arrested and charged with the following crimes:
1. Shaylah Cooper, age 26 from Irvington,
a. She was the driver of the car and was charged with eluding the police, resisting arrest, and possession of the handgun. She was also charged with aggravated assault as one of the suspects was injured in the crash.
2. Shakil Barr, 24 from Irvington
a. He was charged with possession of the handgun and resisting arrest.
3. Kamal Nath-Love, 22, from Newark,
a. He was charged with possession of the handgun, resisting arrest, and certain persons not to possess firearms.
4. Nadif Tucker, age 19 from Irvington,
a. He was charged with possession of the handgun and resisting arrest. He was also found to have warrants and was wanted by the East Orange Police Department.
b. He was injured when the car crashed—a complaint of head pain and a subsequent seizure. He was taken to Beth Israel Hospital for examination and later released to police custody.
All of those arrested were taken to the Union Police Department where they will be held until being sent to the Union County Jail.
The follow up investigation of the robbery is being handled by Detective Anthony W. Lagoa and Detective Sergeant Mark L. Martin.
The 3 men arrested match the description of the men who tried to rob the security officer. The masks in the car are similar to the mask described by the victim.
Detectives are trying to determine if there is enough evidence to charge those responsible for the unsuccessful robbery.
Anyone who has additional information should contact the Union Police Department Detective Bureau at 908-851-5030 or Detective Lagoa at ALagoa@Uniontownship.com.