June 22, 2017

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Orange – Two male suspects were arrested by Essex County sheriff’s detectives last night and weapons and drug charges were filed against them.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were conducting proactive quality of life patrol operations on Wednesday evening at Monte Irvin Park when the observed a 2017 Nissan Altima pass them on Oakwood Avenue.  Neither the driver of the vehicle nor his passenger were wearing seatbelts.

“When our officers pulled the car over they immediately detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “In questioning the driver, Devonne Caldwell, 20 of East Orange, who could not produce proper vehicle documentation he readily admitted there was a zip-lock bag of marijuana in the car’s center console.”

As the sheriff’s officers initiated a search the suspect vehicle for further contraband, the passenger, Aljamu Goines, 22 of Newark, attempted to prevent them by slamming closed the glove compartment.

“After removing Goines from the car, a fully loaded, .40 caliber, Sig Sauer semi-automatic handgun was discovered and seized from the glove compartment,” Fontoura added.  “The gun was found to have been stolen out of Old Bridge, New Jersey, during a home burglary in August 2012.”

Caldwell and Goines were each charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  The suspects were also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.

Caldwell and Goines were lodged at the county jail where they await a bail hearing.