Newark – An armed suspect who had escaped police custody one week ago on weapons charges was arrested last night by Essex County sheriff’s detectives and new gun charges were filed against him according to officials.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics observed Samuel Jones, 24 of Newark, loitering in a parking lot at the intersection of South 8th Street and 14th Avenue at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
“Our officers immediately recognized Jones as the suspect who had eluded them during the recovery of a loaded, 9mm, Luger in the same area last Saturday,” Sheriff Fontoura said. “As he moved about the parking lot, Jones continuously adjusted an item that was concealed in his waistband.”
When the sheriff’s detectives announced their presence, Jones again ran from the scene.
“During the ensuing brief foot chase the suspect was slowed by a chain-link fence,” Fontoura added. “Here, he discarded a fully loaded, .38 caliber Fast Eibar semi-automatic handgun. The suspect was tackled to the ground and, after a physical struggle, Jones was handcuffed and placed under arrest.”
As a result of last night’s arrest, Jones was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced weapon, resisting arrest by physical force and the obstruction of the administration of law.
Jones was lodged at the county jail where he awaits a bail hearing. Further charges against Jones for the April 13th incident are pending against him.