5 People Freed In 4-Hour N.J. Hostage Standoff: Cops

Five people were freed after being held hostage in an apartment at a Newark housing complex Saturday morning.

At 2:45 a.m., Newark Police personnel responded to the 200 block of South Street after a 911 call was received that several persons were being held hostage at the location, police said.

Officers arrived and immediately requested the Newark Police Emergency Service SWAT Team after confirming a possible hostage situation.

After a 4-hour standoff with police negotiators, the SWAT Team made entry into the apartment by utilizing a less than lethal chemical agent called Oleoresin Capsicum, better known as OC pepper spray, police said.

Yucef Shabazz Rogers, 32, of Newark was apprehended without incident and five hostages were released. There were no reported injuries. The motive appears to be domestic related.

The hostages included three adult females, one of whom was Rogers' girlfriend. Two males, including a 14-year-old, were also among the hostages, police said.

A loaded AK-47 assault weapon was recovered in the apartment. Detectives are remaining at the scene awaiting a search warrant for additional evidence.

During an ongoing investigation arrest, detectives determined that Rogers fired the weapon prior to officers’ arrival at the residence, police said.

Rogers will be charged with a host of criminal charges including possession of the assault weapon, possession of the weapon for unlawful purposes, and will be remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility.

“Chief Darnell Henry and I commend SWAT Commander Lieutenant Richard Casale and the members of the SWAT team for their patience and the successful ending with no harm being done to the suspect or hostages,” stated City of Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose.