Newark Cops Make 9 Homicide Arrests, Several Suspects Remain At-Large: Prosecutor

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities announced Tuesday that police have charged nine people in connection with seven recent homicides in Essex County.

Authorities charged eight men and a juvenile in connection with the murders, all of which took place in Newark and involved residents of East Orange, Irvington, Flemington, Belleville and Newark, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office stated.

Several of the suspects remain at-large, police said. Anyone with information about their whereabouts can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4-EC or 1-877-847-7432.

NEW STREET SHOOTING

On Jan. 28, Terrence M. Moore, Jr., 23, of East Orange and Derrick Valentine, 22, of Newark, were fatally shot in the 300 block of New Street, prosecutors said.

Police have charged Jhamid Love, 26, and Isaiah Jackson, 22, with two counts of murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose for the murder of Moore and Valentine.

A Superior Court Judge approved the arrest warrants and set bail on the two suspects at $1 million with no 10 percent option, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, Jackson is currently incarcerated in the Union County Jail on unrelated charges.

Love's current whereabouts are unknown; he is wanted at this time, prosecutors stated.

WILLOUGHBY STREET SHOOTINGS

On Aug. 19 at about 11:53 p.m., Newark Police responded to Willoughby Street where officers found Robert Harrison Jr., 24, of Irvington, and Jessica Tosco, 27, of Flemington suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, prosecutors said.

Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene. Tosco was transported to the hospital where she died at 2:51 p.m. on Aug. 2.

Police charged Earl Behlin, 33, of Newark, with both the murder of Harrison and Tosco. Behlin was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility.

A Superior Court judge set his bail at $2 million dollars, cash only.

4TH AVENUE PHARMACY SHOOTING

On Aug. 26, George Negron, 40, of Belleville, was shot outside the 4th Avenue Pharmacy in Newark. He later died from his injuries at Clara Maass Medical Center, prosecutors said.

Police charged three Newark residents in connection with his murder: John Madera, 23, Nelson Rodriguez, 23, and Adrian Madera, 30. All suspects are in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility, prosecutors stated.

Rodriguez was charged with felony murder and first degree robbery. His bail was set at $750,000.

Adrian Madera and John Madera, who are brothers, have been charged with murder, felony murder, first degree robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Adrian Madera’s bail was set at $750,000. John Madera’s bail was set at $1 million.

BELGIUM STREET SHOOTING

On Aug. 31, police charged two individuals in connection with the murder of Curtis Thomas, 42, of Newark, who was assaulted and then fatally shot on Belgium Street in Newark on Aug. 27.

Authorities issued arrest warrants for Khalil Harris, 49, of Newark, who is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of weapon, and Keith Oliver, 51, of Newark, who was charged with aggravated assault in connection with the Thomas murder.

Both suspects remain at large, prosecutors stated.

JUVENILE ARREST

On July 1, Anthony Gettis, 25, of Newark, was shot multiple times in the area of 75 North 7th Street. Gettis was pronounced dead on July 7 at Rutgers University Hospital as a result of his injuries, prosecutors stated.

A 17-year-old juvenile was charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the death, prosecutors said.

The juvenile is being held at the Essex County Juvenile Facility on unrelated charges pending a court appearance on these charges, prosecutors stated.

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