Newark Police Seize 10 Illegal Guns, Make 4 Arrests

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police recovered 10 illegal guns and made four arrests over a four-day period last week as part of an ongoing “violence reduction” campaign, authorities said.

The arrests and weapon seizures took place between Thursday and Sunday, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

“Every illegal gun Newark police take off the street is potentially a life saved,” Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said, commending the involved officers.

“Thanks to their hard work, we have confiscated 355 illegal firearms so far this year – including 10 just this weekend – a 33 percent increase over the same period last year,” he added.

• See related article: Illegal Gun Seizures Up 45% In Newark So Far This Year, Police Say

Newark police released the following statements about each arrest:

GUNS, OXYCODONE – “Melvin Thomas, 23, of East Orange, was arrested in the area of North 12th Street and 6th Avenue on June 19. Police observed Thomas with an unlabeled prescription bottle of 48 Oxycodone pills and a handgun on his person following a motor vehicle stop. Police also recovered another handgun and a Diamondback rifle from inside the vehicle. One of the handguns had been reported stolen out of Virginia Beach in November 2020. Thomas faces three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapon (hollow point ammunition and large capacity magazine), CDS possession, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, intent to distribute CDS, intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public housing complex, and receiving stolen property.”

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – “Also, on June 19, Taylor Rogers, 23, of Newark, was arrested after pointing a gun at two individuals inside a residence in the 100 block of Vermont Avenue. Police recovered a handgun at the scene. Rogers faces charges of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and possession of a prohibited weapon (large capacity magazine).”

3 GUNS RECOVERED – “Police recovered three loaded handguns on June 19 after responding to a ShotSpotter notification at 17 Livingston Street, where several individuals had gathered for a party. Police also recovered DJ equipment, an ATM machine, televisions, alcoholic beverages, sodas, and juices.”

CONCERNED CITIZEN – “Another illegal weapon was recovered on June 19 from the 400 block of South 19th Street, where a concerned citizen reported seeing a male with a gun. Upon becoming aware of police presence, a group of several individuals dispersed from the area and the handgun was located. This incident remains under investigation.”

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT – “Cordell Henry, 19, of Newark, was arrested on June 16 after he pointed a gun at two people he knew in the 100 block of Hedden Terrace. Police recovered two loaded weapons at the scene. Henry faces charges of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, criminal mischief, and possession of prohibited weapons (hollow point ammunition).”

GUN POSSESSION – “On June 17, Wendell Morris, 49, was arrested in the 700 block of Clinton Avenue after he was observed with a handgun. He is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.”

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