Police in Newark arrested a man last night on multiple weapon charges were filed against him.
According to authorities, detectives from the Bureau of Narcotics with officers from the Newark Police Division’s Special Enforcement Bureau conducted quality of life patrols in response to recent shootings and open-air drug trafficking in the area of South 17th Street and 14th Avenue.
Officials say as the task force drove past a townhouse, located on the 400 block of South 17th Street, at approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, an individual, later identified as Isaiah Ketchens, 25, walked away from a large crowd of people who had gathered there.
Ketchens walked right in front of our unmarked cruisers, forcing them to come to a stop. Police say he strolled across the street, our officers could clearly see the handle of a gun protruding from his pants pocket.
According to authorities, Ketchens opened and entered a parked 2008 Honda Pilot but one of the detectives prevented him from closing the door and starting the car.
During the skirmish with the suspect, the officers discovered that he was carrying a second weapon in a fanny pack that was worn across his chest. Ketchens was forcibly removed from the vehicle and handcuffed.
Officials say the two weapons, a .40 caliber, Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun, loaded with hollow point ammunition, and a .25 caliber, Phoenix Arms semi-automatic handgun, were subsequently seized.
Police arrested and charged Ketchens with two counts of the unlawful possession of a weapon and one count each of possession of prohibited devices (hollow point bullets) and resisting arrest by violence.
Officials say Ketchens was also found to be the subject of an open warrant issued by the Durham County (NC) Sheriff’s Office for probation violation and a warrant issued by the Newark municipal court for contempt.
The suspect was lodged at the Essex County jail where he awaits a bail hearing on Monday’s charges.