Essex County Sheriff’s Office

NEWS RELEASE

March 6, 2018

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Newark – A reputed street gang member and his two alleged accomplices, including a high school student, were arrested this afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives with weapons and drug charges were filed against them.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that detectives from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics responded today and conducted plainclothes operations at the intersection of Chapel Street and Riverview Court in Newark’s East Ward.

“Our detectives observed three suspects, later identified as Hakeen Eley, 24, an alleged member of the Crips gang, Rashon Napier, 19, a high school student, and Jeremy Jones, 22, all of Newark, loitering in the area near Eley’s parked 2005 Kia Optima sedan.”

Fontoura said two males approached Jones and after a brief conversation, they were directed to Eley and Napier.

“Eley and Napier each exchanged items with the two men for cash,” the sheriff noted.  “Upon conclusion of the transactions, our detectives moved in to further investigate.  Eley and Napier were found to be in possession of 21 heroin-filled envelops, stamped “007” in red ink, and $122 in cash while Jones was found to be in possession of 9 vials of ‘crack’ cocaine and a 40 caliber, Eibar Ultra Star semi-automatic handgun, loaded with illegal hollow-point bullets.”

A canvass of the area proved negative for the suspected buyers.

All three suspects are charged with 2 counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of the Terrell public housing complex.  The suspects were also charged with conspiracy to violate New Jersey’s narcotics laws.

Jones was additionally charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a narcotics crime and possession of hollow-point bullets.

Eley, Jones, and Napier were lodged at the county jail where they await a bail hearing.