Newark Mayor's Life Allegedly Threatened: Cops Make Arrest, Seek New Brunswick Man

Newark, NJ – Police arrested one man and are searching for another after the two were allegedly overheard plotting to kill Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

A Newark police spokesman said that a bystander called the mayor’s office on Wednesday around 11 a.m. and told authorities that they allegedly overheard two men near Newark Penn Station discussing an effort to kill Baraka.

The caller provided a description of the two men, who were dressed in camouflage, police stated.

Authorities dispatched officers to the station where they found Kenneth Curry, 56, and an unidentified man on Market Street, both wearing camouflage outfits, police said.

The men fled when police approached, authorities stated.

Curry later identified the other suspect as a 56-year-old New Brunswick man, police said.

Police declined to release the name of the second suspect.

According to authorities, Curry was arrested on two open warrants and may face additional charges. An investigation is being conducted by the department's Executive Protection Unit. Anyone with information can call the Newark Police Department’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).

Wednesday’s incident is not the only recent alleged threat made to Baraka. In January, the mayor reported that a pair of threatening letters were discovered in a stack of mail mistakenly delivered to his mother’s South Ward home.

• See related article: Newark Mayor's Mom Gets Threatening Letters Meant For Her Son

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Photo: Ras Baraka, City of Newark Press Office