Newark’s Latest Fugitive Sweep Nets Several Arrests; Charges Include Assault, Robbery, Carjacking

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police arrested several people accused of committing violent offenses during their latest monthly fugitive roundup, authorities say.

The Newark Department of Public Safety announced a wave of arrests earlier this week, which were made throughout the month of August.

The list of arrestees included:

• Tayvon Hammond, 31, of East Orange, was arrested on August 4, 2026. She was wanted for robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
• Nazir Johnson, 21, of Newark, was arrested on August 5, 2026. He was being sought on charges of robbery, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and criminal restraint.
• Erick Urquilla, 25, of Newark, was arrested on August 7, 2026. He had an outstanding warrant on charges of carjacking, two counts of conspiracy, and theft of a motor vehicle.
• Willie Toliver, 38, of Newark, was arrested on August 17, 2026. He was wanted on charges of seven counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, criminal mischief, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.
• Djuan Johnson, 32, of Newark, was arrested on August 17, 2026. He was being sought on charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, simple assault, and multiple outstanding warrants out of Newark.
• Kyle Wilson, 19, of Cranford, was arrested on August 18, 2026. He was wanted on charges of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and conspiracy.
• Sife Smith, 24, of Newark, was arrested on August 21, 2026. He was wanted on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, and an outstanding warrant out of Jersey City.
• Quassim Y. Richardson, 32, of Newark, was arrested on August 25, 2026. He was being sought on a charge of aggravated assault.
• Wayne Link, 48, of Newark, was arrested on August 26, 2026. He had an outstanding warrant on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon (knife), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of terroristic threats, simple assault, and outstanding warrants out of Newark and Harrison.
• Tony Wardrick, 42, of Irvington, was arrested on August 28, 2026. He was being sought on charges of two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, theft, failure to appear, and two outstanding warrants out of Irvington and one outstanding warrant out of Newark.

Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. said the department’s fugitive-related operations have been effective this summer, citing an eight percent reduction in violent crime from May to August, as compared to the same time last year.

• Related: Newark’s Drop In Homicides Is Leading The Nation, New Data Shows

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