By: Richard L. Smith
The Newark Police Department is calling on the community for assistance in identifying a male suspect linked to a terroristic threat incident that happened in the early hours of Friday, March 22.
The alarming event occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on a No. 31 NJ Transit bus operating on South Orange Avenue near Longfellow Avenue.
According to police reports, the situation escalated when the suspect, a passenger on the bus, engaged in a heated argument with the bus driver.
The altercation intensified as the suspect proceeded to threaten the driver, hurl a food item at him, and subsequently brandish a large kitchen knife.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as the suspect lunged at the driver multiple times with the weapon.
The confrontation took a turn when the driver alerted the suspect that law enforcement was being contacted, prompting the assailant to exit the vehicle and flee northward on Longfellow Avenue.
In an effort to apprehend the individual responsible for this distressing incident, Newark Police detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The suspect is described as a male approximately 5’6” tall, with a light complexion and devoid of facial hair.
At the time of the incident, he was clad in a dark blue hooded sweatshirt beneath a beige bubble jacket paired with black pants and was seen carrying a black and gray book bag.
Director Fragé of the Newark Police has made a public plea, encouraging witnesses or anyone possessing knowledge about the suspect's identity to reach out to the Police Division's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).
The department reassures the public that all tips provided to Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and could potentially lead to a reward for valuable information that aids in the suspect's capture.
The Newark Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens and swiftly bringing those who threaten public security to justice.