An alleged Bloods street gang member was arrested last night by Essex County sheriff’s detectives, and multiple weapons charges were filed against him.
Authorities were conducting quality of life operations in the area of West Side Park on Wednesday evening when a suspect, later identified as Iquill Edwards, 20, of Newark, noticed our officers and ran from the scene near the intersection of South 18th Street and 15th Avenue.
Detectives followed Edwards into the backyard of 516 South 18th Street, Sheriff Fontoura said.
Because the suspect had a large bulge in his front waistband, he was frisked for officer safety. From his waistband a 9mm, Hi-Point semi-automatic handgun, loaded with illegal hollow point bullets was seized.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office screening unit approved charges of the unlawful possession of a weapon and the illegal possession of hollow point bullets against Edwards.
Edwards was lodged at the county jail where he awaits arraignment on Wednesday’s charges.