Armed Carjacking Suspect Arrested With Narcotics

Newark – A male juvenile wanted by law enforcement authorities on a prior armed carjacking warrant was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s officers and new narcotics charges were filed against him.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated officers from his department were on quality of life patrol in the area of Newark’s Parker Avenue and Parker Street at 3:00 p.m. yesterday when they spotted a 15-year-old juvenile who was wanted for an armed carjacking that took place in the city on September 27, 2016.

“When our officers approached the suspect he attempted to run from the scene but was quickly taken into custody,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “In making the arrest, our officers confiscated 49 heroin-filled glassine envelops, stamped ‘BONE CRUSHER’ in green ink, along with a screwdriver and two black masks which were all found in the juvenile’s fanny pack.  An additional 20 plastic jugs of ‘crack’ cocaine were also discovered in the suspect’s long underwear.”

As a result of Wednesday’s arrest, the juvenile was charged with two counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Barringer High School and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of Branch Brook Park.  The suspect was additionally charged with resisting arrest.

The suspect was lodged at the Essex County Youth Detention Center where he awaits a hearing in Family Court on Wednesday’s charges.

Machine Gun & Sawed Off Shotgun Arrest

Newark – An alleged member of the Bloods street gang was arraigned today on multiple weapons and aggravated assault charges following his arrest late last week by a federal and county law enforcement task force.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that the task force comprised of officers from the United States Marshals Service and Essex County sheriff’s detectives executed an arrest warrant for Shawn King, 20, of Newark, at 79 West Rich Street in Irvington on Friday night.

King surrendered to the officers without incident.

“Prior to the suspect’s arrest, our officers responded to King’s residence where they discovered and seized a .308 Heckler & Koch fully automatic machine gun with an optic scope and a fully loaded and sawed-off Mossberg 500 12 gauge shotgun.  The machine gun was discovered on the floor under King’s bed and the shotgun was secreted between the mattress and box springs.  A large cache of ammunition, including illegal hollow point bullets, was also recovered from the suspect’s bedroom.”

The machine gun was found to have been reported stolen out of Durham, North Carolina on July 7, 2011.

“King was wanted for aggravated assault by Newark police for allegedly firing a handgun at a male victim near a gas station on Sanford Avenue on October 8th of this year,” Sheriff Fontoura added.

In addition to the original aggravated assault charge, King was additionally charged with possession of a shotgun, possession of a prohibited weapon (sawed-off shotgun), possession of a machine gun, possession of hollow point bullets and receiving stolen property (machine gun).

At today’s arraignment, King was ordered held at the county jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bond only.

Newark South Ward Heroin/Crack/Marijuana Arrests

Newark – Two alleged drug dealers and one suspected drug buyer were arrested this afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives as a result of a plainclothes surveillance operation that was conducted in the city’s South Ward.  The alleged dealers are scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that his department’s Bureau of Narcotics staged the operation near the intersection of Mapes Avenue and Osborne Terrace following numerous neighborhood complaints of open-air drug trafficking in the area.

Sheriff Fontoura said that as his officers observed Marcus Alexander, 44, and, Terry Williams, 49, both of Newark, loiter in front of 182 Mapes Avenue.  The two suspects were soon approached by a female passerby, later identified as Christine Powell, 57, also of Newark.

After a brief conversation between Powell and the suspects, Williams walked over to Alexander’s parked 2003 Ford Windstar van and removed an item from the center console which he exchanged with Powell for cash.  The money was given to Alexander as Powell walked away from the scene.

Powell was followed and detained.  She was found to be in possession of a clear plastic jug containing ‘crack’ cocaine.

Fontoura said the officers then moved in on Alexander and Williams to further investigate.

“In plain site on the van’s center console were two prescription bottles that contained an additional 25 jugs of ‘crack’ and 32 heron-filled glassine envelopes of heroin, stamped ‘MARS’ in red ink,’ the sheriff said.  “Additionally, 19 bags of marijuana were also seized from the van.”

Alexander was found to be in possession of $399 and Williams was holding an additional $120.  All of the cash was seized.

Alexander and Williams were both charged with 16 criminal counts for the sale, intent and distribution of heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and the violation of New Jersey’s narcotics laws.

A speedy bail of $50,000 cash bond only was imposed on both Alexander and Williams.  They were lodged at the county jail and await arraignment on today’s charges on Wednesday.

Powell was issued a summons for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and releases in her own recognizance.  She will be arraigned on December 22nd.

Drug Arrest

Newark – An East Orange man was arraigned today on multiple drug charges following his arrest yesterday afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives.

Responding to neighborhood complaints of open-air drug trafficking on Mapes Avenue between Osborne Place and Bergen Street in Newark, Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that his department’s Bureau of Narcotics staged a plainclothes surveillance operation at that location on Tuesday.

“A suspect, later identified as Taji Whitaker, 27, was observed loitering in front of 152 Mapes Avenue,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “He was soon approached by a male passerby.  After a brief conversation with the passerby, Whitaker walked to an abandoned 2001 Honda Accord which was parked nearby.  Whitaker then entered the vehicle and removed items from a black plastic bag which he exchanged with the passerby for cash.”

Following what they believed to have been a drug transaction, the sheriff’s BON detectives moved in to further investigate.

“A search of the Honda was initiated as Whitaker was detained,” Fontoura said.  “The bag was recovered and was found to contain 78 plastic jugs containing ‘crack’ cocaine and 98 grams of marijuana.”

Whitaker was charged with two counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of CDS with intent to distribute.

A canvass of the area for the alleged drug buyer was unsuccessful.

At today’s arraignment, Whitaker was ordered held at the county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Weapon/Drug Arrest

Newark – An 18 year old male was arraignment today on numerous narcotics offenses and weapon charges following his arrest yesterday by Essex County sheriff’s Detectives.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics conducted a plain clothes surveillance operation late Monday morning in the area of Johnson and Clinton Avenue in the City of Newark. This was in response to numerous citizen complaints of open-air drug trafficking in that area.

During the operation, suspect Marquel O’Neal of Newark was observed by Detectives loitering in the area.  O’Neal was approached by a male passerby later identified as Joseph Wagner, Fontoura said.  After a brief conversation with Wagner O’Neal removed items from his fanny pack in exchange for cash.

As Bureau of Narcotics Detectives moved in to further investigate, O’Neal and Wagner attempted to leave the scene on foot but were quickly detained. O’Neal was found to be in possession of a fully loaded 9mm Ruger semi automatic handgun which was concealed in his waistband, Fontoura said.  O’Neal’s fanny pack was found to contain a total of 105 vials of crack cocaine and 163 heroin-filled envelopes stamped “SSAM11” in red ink.

’Neal was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Malcolm X. Shabazz School, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of Terrell James Park, the unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun while committing a narcotics crime.

At today’s arraignment O’Neal was ordered held at the Essex County jail in lieu of a $100,000 cash bond only.

Wagner was issued a summons for possession of CDS and will be arraigned at a later date.