410 Illegal Guns Seized In Newark So Far This Year, Police Say

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police recovered two stolen guns while arresting three people this week, bringing the city’s total to more than 400 illegal firearms seized so far this year, authorities said Thursday.

“Every illegal handgun that our police officers recover equals at least one fewer victim of senseless violence,” Interim Public Safety Director Malave said.

Malave reported that Newark police officers have recovered 410 illegal firearms in the past seven months.

“I commend our officers for their commitment to removing illegal guns from our neighborhoods,” Malave said. “Their hard work has resulted in a 33 percent increase in recovered firearms this year over the same period in 2021.”

“Further, our ghost gun recoveries are up 143 percent this year versus last year, and our arrests for illegal firearm possession are up 43 percent so far in 2022, as compared to the same period a year ago,” he added.

The latest gun seizures took place on Wednesday, authorities said.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety:

“At approximately 11:30 p.m., police patrolling the area of Rose Street observed a vehicle traveling at a high speed on Brenner Street before turning onto 18th Avenue and then onto Winans Avenue. The vehicle stopped in the area of Winans Avenue near Kipp Street, where Raquil Hayes, 19, of Newark, was observed exiting the vehicle with a gun. Upon becoming aware of police presence, Hayes ran into a residence in the area. He was arrested upon exiting the residence and faces charges of obstruction of the administration of the law and possession of a prohibited weapon (hollow-point ammunition).”

Jasir Germant, 19, of Newark, the vehicle’s backseat passenger, was found in possession of a loaded .9 mm handgun that was reported stolen out of Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was arrested without incident and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons (large-capacity magazine), and receiving stolen property.

The vehicle’s driver, Jason A. Hunter, 19, of Hillside, was found in possession of a loaded .45 caliber handgun that had been reported stolen out of Edison. He was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons (hollow-point ammunition), and receiving stolen property.

• See related article: Newark Mayor, Top Cop 'Grateful' To Biden For Gun Violence Plan

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