Police: Teens Arrested After Found with Loaded AK-47

Newark police arrested two 18-year-olds Tuesday afternoon after the duo apparently were found with a fully loaded AK-47 assault rifle and heroin.

Shawniah Martin and Qynair Peebles, both of Newark, each were charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled, dangerous substance, according to Det. Hubert Henderson, a police spokesman.

He said the incident started when plain-clothed officers received complaints of drug activity at 576 Hunterdon St. in the city. While conducting surveillance near that address, the officers witnessed Peebles, who appeared to have something in his waistband, and another man outside the building. As officers went to investigate, Peebles ran into an apartment in the building, according to Henderson. 

Officers then followed Peebles into the apartment and into a bedroom. As officers neared the room, the teenager exited and was arrested, according to Henderson. He said officers then peered into the room and spotted the AK-47 leaning against a dresser and a "small amount" of heroin on the floor.

Henderson said officers then arrested Martin, who was already in the apartment when Peebles ran inside.

As of Tuesday night, Martin and Peebles were in Essex County jail and bail had not been set, according to the spokesman.

"I applaud the team effort being constantly cultivated by the police department and the public as we jointly move toward making our city safer, affording us all a better quality of life," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio in a statement. "Working together — the public and our partners on all levels of law enforcement — is really the best way to accomplish that goal."

Tuesday's incident was  where police recovered an AK-47.

— Staff reports