Police officials in Newark are reporting that officers have recovered four handguns and arrested eight individuals on various weapons charges since last week.
According to a statement released by Newark Police, in response to complaints by residents of a man selling drugs in the area, Mr. Antoine Lee, 25, of Newark, was arrested on Sunday, June 23.
Officials say responding officers observed Lee conducting narcotics transactions from a vacant home in the 100 block of Salem Street.
Upon becoming aware of police presence, Lee allegedly ran, tossing a fanny pack containing a loaded handgun, 11 glassine envelopes of suspected heroin and two plastic jugs containing suspected cocaine.
Police say Lee was arrested and now faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, resisting arrest, two counts of CDS possession and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.
According to police, on Saturday, June 22, Mr. Tony Davis, 48, of Newark, was arrested after police observed him riding a bicycle in the 100 block of North 11th Street with the handle of a gun protruding from his back waistband.
Police say, officers conducted a stop and recovered an Airsoft gun.
Police immediately arrested Davis then him with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and contempt of court for an outstanding warrant from East Orange.
Police say Mr. Naseem L. Cheek and Mr. Nazim H. Cheek, both 18 and both from Newark, were arrested along with two male 17-year-olds on Friday, June 21 at 7th Avenue and North 13th Street.
According to police officials, officers patrolling the area observed four individuals inside a black Honda Accord with several males surrounding the vehicle, which was obstructing public passage.
Police say, Mr. Naseem Cheek, the driver, began searching the vehicle for his credentials, officers observed a handgun protruding from an open backpack inside the vehicle.
The gun, a .380 caliber handgun, was loaded with seven ballpoint rounds. Naseem Cheek, Nazim Cheek and the two juveniles each face charges of unlawful possession of a weapon according to police.
Police say, Mr. Khaliel Arrington, 22, of Newark, was arrested on Wednesday, June 19, at 614 Hunterdon Street following a shooting that occurred in the 400 block of Irvine Turner Boulevard.
According to police officials, shortly before 12:30 p.m., police located a male victim who had been shot.
The victim was transported to University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries police said.
Officers searching the area for the suspect observed Arrington, who fit the description, fleeing the scene by walking westbound on Clinton Avenue.
Upon becoming aware of police presence, Arrington allegedly removed a black fanny pack he had around his waist and ran.
Police recovered the bag, which contained a .380 caliber Smith & Wesson, loaded with five ballpoint rounds.
Police apprehended Arrington then charged him with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, obstructing the administration of the law and resisting arrest.
Police say Mr. Alshamir. T. Sampson, 22, of Newark, was arrested on Thursday, June 13, at 61 Pennsylvania Avenue after police observed him conduct a narcotics transaction from a white Ford Mustang.
Authorities said they found Sampson in possession of a black fanny pack containing a loaded semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine and 10 glassine envelopes of heroin.
Sampson also was found in possession of a plastic bag containing numerous glassine envelopes of heroin and numerous glass jugs of cocaine according to police.
The handgun was reported stolen out of Pennsylvania and Sampson faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of prohibited weapons, possession of CDS, distribution of CDS, distributing CDS within 1,000-ft. of a school, distributing CDS within 500-ft. of a public park, possession of a handgun while committing a CDS offense and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession police said.
These charges are merely accusations.
Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.