September 14, 2017

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Newark – Two gun-toting suspects, known to law enforcement from prior investigations, were arrested in separate incidents on Wednesday afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives and weapons and drug charges were filed against them.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were conducting drug investigations when they observed four males loitering at the intersection of Littleton and 14^th avenues.

“At that time, our detectives witnessed a suspect known to us as Tony Dorch, 27 of Newark, reach into his waistband, remove items from a clear plastic bag and exchange them with another male for cash.” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “The two men then left the scene in different directions on foot.”

The sheriff’s BON officers followed Dorch to Fairmount Avenue.  When to sheriff’s detectives announced their presence Dorch attempted to flee the scene.

“While running, Dorch discarded the plastic bag to the ground and attempted to climb over a backyard fence,” Fontoura noted.  “He was pulled down but continued to resist by flailing his arms and legs at our officers.  Dorch was subdued after a brief struggle and he was found to be carrying a fully loaded, .380 caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun.”

The plastic bag was recovered and it was found contain 12 heroin-filled glassine envelopes, stamped “LOUIS VUITTON” in red ink.  $74 in alleged drug proceeds was also seized from Dorch.

Fontoura added that the gun was later found to have been reported stolen out of Rock Hill, South Carolina on February 2, 2017.

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

The sheriff’s BON detectives conducted second narcotics investigation yesterday afternoon at the intersection of William Street and Glenwood Avenue in Orange.

Here, a suspect, Raynell Solomon, 24 of East Orange, was observed slowing walking westbound on William Street in a manner consistent with drug distribution activity.

“Solomon was known to us as an individual who frequently carries handguns,” Fontoura pointed out.  “Fearing that Solomon may have been armed and a threat to officers and local residents, our detectives searched him and the black book bag he was carrying.  The book bag was found to contain a .40 caliber Ruger semi-automatic handgun with an extended capacity magazine that was fully loaded with illegal hollow-point bullets.”

Dorch was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon while committing a narcotics crime, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Camden Street School.

Dorch was also found to be the subject of four open warrants issued by the Newark municipal court.

Solomon was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of illegal hollow-point bullets.  He was also found to be the subject of an open warrant issued by the Newark municipal court.

Both suspects were lodged at the county jail where they await bail hearings.