Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced today that Newark Police Officers Tiasha Wright and Bianca White have been charged with burglary, theft and conspiracy to commit both offenses stemming from an incident that occurred on August 31, 2020.
The incident occurred in the area of Sunset Avenue in Newark while the officers were on duty.
Officers White and Wright, along with other Newark Police officers, entered a residence based on Officer Wright’s report of suspicious activity.
While inside the first floor to investigate the scene, Officer White removed a charger and a large package of Poland Spring water bottles from the first-floor apartment and placed them in her marked Newark Police Department patrol vehicle.
After the scene was cleared and while sitting in Officer Wright’s marked patrol car, the officers decided to return to the residence in order to steal a large Bluetooth speaker.
Officer Wright pried open the door, removed the speaker and placed it in Officer Wright’s police vehicle.
“We will continue to hold police officers accountable for their unlawful actions. The officers in this case violated their oath and the public trust that comes with it,” said Acting Prosecutor Stephens.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards.
Both officers have been suspended without pay.
“I commend the Newark Police Division’s Office of Professional Standards for uncovering the egregious acts of these officers.
They are an embarrassment to the police division and there is no room for them in police work.
Any violation of the law or policy of the Newark Police Division will not be tolerated,” said Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.