Anti-Violence Plan In Newark Paying Off With Arrests, Police Say

NEWARK, NJ — A citywide “violence reduction initiative” launched last week is already starting to pay off with arrests, Newark authorities say.

Newark Public Safety Director Brian O'Hara recently detailed a new plan to reduce violence in the city for the rest of 2021. His announcement came as Newark grapples with an uptick in gun violence and other violent crimes.

The plan includes the deployment of more officers, beefing up the investigative capabilities of the department, referring juvenile offenders to social workers for assistance, and partnering with local community groups.

• See related article: Newark Taps Social Workers, Community To Slow Uptick In Violence

Newark authorities gave an update on the effort Sunday night, noting that police made multiple arrests involving armed robberies, carjackings and weapons possession over the weekend. Officers also seized five illegal handguns, O’Hara said.

“We are fully committed to reducing violence on our streets, and this weekend’s results shows that our violence reduction initiative is fully underway,” O’Hara added.

Newark police released the following details about each arrest.

GAS STATION ROBBERY

According to Newark police, James Marrow, 36, of East Orange, and Limmary Ortiz-Rivera, 31, of Newark, have been accused of robbing the Delta gas station at 638 Raymond Boulevard. Marrow and Ortiz-Rivera were arrested Sunday.

Police said:

“The suspects arrived at the gas station in a gray 2009 Chevy Malibu and demanded the attendant’s cash at knifepoint before fleeing. Police observed the vehicle moments later at Mobil Gas Station, 1139-1153 Broad Street, where the two suspects were arrested. The suspect vehicle had been reported in a carjacking out of Elizabeth.”

Marrow was charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and resisting arrest.

Ortiz-Rivera was charged with robbery.

SHOTS FIRED

Police said a 14-year-old male from Newark was arrested Sunday.

According to police, the juvenile was “observed fleeing with a group of males as police were responding to a ShotSpotter activation alerting that three rounds were fired on the 100-block of Peshine Avenue.”

A “concerned citizen” also reported hearing gunshots in the area. The juvenile was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, authorities said.

ROBBERY, CAR CHASE

According to Newark police, Ahmad Ford, 27, and Taydra Williams, 24, both of Newark, were arrested after a police car chase on Saturday.

Police stated:

“Ford and Williams were arrested following a vehicle pursuit of the two suspects, who were inside a white 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been reported carjacked in Newark earlier in the day. The vehicle was driven by the suspects during an armed robbery at a gas station, located at 242 Elizabeth Avenue, which also occurred [Saturday]. The male suspect exited the vehicle and demanded the attendant’s cash at gunpoint. Following the robbery, police observed the vehicle at Meeker Avenue and Frelinghuysen Avenue and attempted a motor vehicle stop. The driver refused to pull over and the vehicle was pursued to East Kinney Street and McCarter Highway, where Ford and Williams were both arrested, and a loaded gun was recovered.”

Ford and Williams are each charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, robbery and eluding.

LOADED GUN

According to Newark police:

“Zahtece Moore, 27, of Newark, was arrested [Saturday] on the 600-block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after police conducted a motor vehicle stop and observed a loaded gun inside the vehicle he was driving. He faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon (extended magazine), and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.”

CAR STOP YIELDS HEROIN, GUN

According to police, Lamarr Burwell, 26, Fuquan S. Floyd, 28, and Tywon C. Johnson, 20, all of Newark, were arrested Saturday after police conducted a motor vehicle stop at Georgia King Village.

Authorities released the following statement about the arrests:

“Police observed a gun inside the vehicle and the driver, Burwell, and his two passengers were arrested. Police also recovered a loaded gun, which had been reported stolen out of Greenville, SC, and 25 decks of suspected CDS heroin.”

Burwell was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon (large capacity magazine and hollow point ammunition), receiving stolen property, certain persons prohibited from weapon possession and eluding.

Floyd was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons (large capacity magazine and hollow point ammunition), receiving stolen property and CDS possession.

Johnson was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapon (large capacity magazine and hollow point ammunition), and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.

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