'Major' NJ Gang Busted After 3-Month Spree Of Murder, Robbery

Seven members of a "major gang" were busted this past week after a three-month statewide crime spree involving murder, attempted carjacking, armed robbery, aggravated assault and weapons possession in New Jersey, authorities said.

The three-month crime spree began Sept. 7 and lasted until Nov. 29 and 30, when the seven gang members from New Brunswick, Franklin Township, Piscataway, South Plainfield, Camden, and Newark were arrested, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

“I thank and commend the many dedicated law enforcement officers and special agents whose efforts led to the arrests," Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey said in a release. "When addressing violent gang activity, results like these are only possible with multi-agency coordination, and the sharing of resources. This investigation’s conclusion has resulted in a safer community."

The crime spree took several twists and turns, beginning with the gang's involvement in an attempted murder, following by a gas station robbery, a carjacking, two more shootings, another gas station robbery, a stabbing and then ending with the murder of a 30-year-old man, according to the MCPO.

Here is the Middlesex County Prosecutor's timeline of events:

First shooting

It all began with a shooting Sept. 7 at 10:20 p.m. on Throop Avenue in New Brunswick, leading to the arrest of Anthony Pinson, also known as “Smoke," a 25-year-old Franklin Park man. He was charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to the MCPO.

Also charged was Paul Sexton (also known as “Munch"), a 21-year-old New Brunswick man, for conspiracy to commit murder, according to the MCPO.

First gas station robbery

Three days later, on Sept. 10, at 4:34 a.m., the same gang was involved in a robbery took place at a gas station located on French Street in New Brunswick, according to the MCPO.

Among those arrested for that incident was Pinson, who was additionally charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Sexton was charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Danique Simpson, also known as “Biz,” a 24-year-old South Plainfield resident, and Ashley Stewart, 24, of Piscataway were also charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Carjacking

On Sept. 16, 2017 at 2:40 a.m., the gang was involved in an attempted carjacking took place on Beachwood Court in the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, according to the MCPO.

Following that incident, Pinson, Sexton, and Shaheed Wroten, also known as “Gleese,” a 22-year-old New Brunswick resident, were all charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking, possession of an assault firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a community firearm, according to the MCPO.

Another shooting

Then, on Sept. 19. 2017 at 9:31 p.m., the gang was involved in yet another crime when three males — two 20 and another 21 years of age — were shot on Throop Avenue in New Brunswick. They were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick; all three survived, according to the MCPO.

Three people were charged in the shooting as follows:

• Pinson, for three counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a community gun;
• Antoine Williams (also known as “Wax"), 30, of Newark. Charged with three counts of attempted murder, possession of an assault firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a community gun; and
• Sexton was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possession of a community gun.

Seven shots fired

The mayhem continued Oct. 15 at 2:33 a.m. on Delavan Street in New Brunswick when approximately seven shots were fired, though no one was struck by the flying bullets.

Following that incident, Wroten was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a community gun. Both Pinson and Sexton were charged with conspiracy to commit attempted murder and possession of a community gun.

Another gas station robbery, and a shooting

Just two hours later, at 4:15 a.m. at a South Brunswick gas station on Route 27, a robbery turned into attempted murder when a gas station attendant was shot. The victim was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and recovered from his injuries, according to the MCPO.

Five people were charged in this crime as follows:

• Pinson, who was charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, receiving stolen property and possession of a community gun
• Wroten, who was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, receiving stolen property and possession of a community gun.
• Sexton, Simpson, and Stewart, all three of whom were charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, receiving stolen property and possession of a community gun.

A stabbing

The gang struck again Oct. 26 at 1:34 a.m., when a stabbing occurred on George Street in New Brunswick. The male victim was taken to RWJ University Hospital and survived his injuries, according to the MCPO.

Darnell Konteh (also known as “Badass"), a 25-year-old Camden man, was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Wroten was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Sexton was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, according to the MCPO.

A murder

A month later, in Camden, the gang was allegedly involved in a shooting Nov. 28 on Atlantic Avenue. Konteh was charged with the murder of Stanford Brown, 30, of Lawnside, in Camden County. Pinson was charged with attempted murder.

Arrests

Finally, on Nov. 29 at 10:06 p.m., a motor vehicle stop took place in New Brunswick on an arrest warrant for Pinson, who was an occupant of the vehicle. He was arrested and charged with possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a community gun, according to the MCPO.

Also arrested were two others occupants of the car, Konteh and Sexton.

After a warrant was obtained, the car was searched revealing two more weapons. Konteh was charged with possession of a shotgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a community gun and being a certain person not to have a weapon. Sexton was charged with possession of a community gun and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the MCPO.

The investigation was led by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the New Brunswick Police Department, and the South Brunswick Police Department, authorities with assistance from members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New Jersey State Parole, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the Camden County Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brandt Gregus of the New Brunswick Police Department at (732) 745-5200 or Detective Gregory Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4054.

Stock crime scene photo courtesy of the FBI