Essex County Sheriff’s Office

NEWS RELEASE

July 24, 2018

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

 Newark – Two handguns were recovered and two juvenile suspects were taken into custody by Essex County sheriff’s officers in the city’s Central Ward on Monday at 8:00 p.m.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Patrol

Division responded to a SPEN radio broadcast of suspects in a Nissan Xtera, reported stolen out of Hoboken, wanted for a shooting that had occurred earlier in the City of Orange.

“About five minutes later, our officers encountered the suspect vehicle traveling erratically on Orange Street and at a high rate of speed,” Sheriff Fontoura stated.  “The suspect vehicle then turned onto University Avenue where it crashed into a motorist in a Nissan Sentra and a stop sign at the intersection of James Street.”

Three suspects bailed out of the Nissan and ran towards Washington Park.

“Here, two juvenile males from Jersey City, ages 14 and 17, were tackled to the ground and placed under arrest,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “During a pat-down search for officer safety the 14-year-old suspect was found to be in possession of a .32 caliber H&R Arms revolver, a .22 caliber Imperial revolver and a small amount of marijuana. Both weapons were fully loaded at the time of the arrest.”

A canvass of the area for the third suspect was unsuccessful.  The driver of the Sentra and her passenger refused medical attention.

The 14-year-old suspect was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and eluding an officer.  He was also issued a disorderly persons summons for the marijuana.

The 17-year-old suspect was charged with receiving stolen property, eluding an officer, and resisting arrest.

Both suspects were lodged at the Essex County Youth Detention Center where they await a hearing in Family Court.