NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

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Essex County Sheriff’s Office

NEWS RELEASE

May 24, 2018

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

 Newark – A reputed member of the Crips street gang who was released from custody, pending sentencing on a prior weapons charge, and another suspect were arrested yesterday by Essex County sheriff’s detectives and multiple weapons and drug charges were filed against them.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics conducted a surveillance operation near the intersection of Brookdale Avenue and Abinger Place on Wednesday when they observed two males loitering in the area.

“Our detectives witnessed David Locke, 20 of Newark, exchange items from his sweatshirt pocket with Robert Caruso, 38 of Brick, for cash.” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “Due to our officers training and experience, they surmised that an illegal narcotics transaction had just taken place.”

Caruso was immediately detained but Locke ran from the scene.

After a brief foot chase, Locke was tackled to the ground but continued to resist arrest by flailing his arms and legs.

“During the physical struggle with Locke, our detectives noticed the handle of a handgun protruding from the pocket of his sweatshirt,” Sheriff Fontoura noted. “The a fully loaded, 9mm Luger handgun, reported stolen out of Raeford, North Carolina on November 27, 2017, was seized and rendered safe.”

During a pat-down search of Locke for officer safety, the sheriff’s BON detectives recovered nine heroin-filled envelopes, stamped ‘Major League’ in red ink, 42 plastic jugs containing crack-cocaine, and a small bag containing marijuana, along with 59 dollars in US currency.

Caruso was found to be in possession of two herion-filled envelopes.

Locke was charged with three counts each of possession controlled dangerous substance and possession of CDS with intent to distribute.  He was also charged with the unlawful possession of stolen property, possession of a weapon without a permit, and resisting arrest by physical force.  Locke was also found to be the subject of an open warrant for contempt of court.

Locke was lodged at the county jail where he will await a bail hearing.

Caruso was issued a summons and released on his own recognizance.  He will be arraigned on June 20th.