Politics & Government

New Brunswick Man Sought for Death Threats Against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

The two men, dressed in camo, were overheard Wednesday at Newark Penn Station saying they wanted to kill Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

New Brunswick, NJ - A New Brunswick man is being sought by Newark police Thursday morning after he was overheard at Newark Penn Station saying he wanted to kill Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

One man has already been arrested after the two were allegedly overheard plotting to kill Baraka, a Newark police spokesman confirmed.

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

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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.

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The men fled when police approached, authorities stated.

Curry was caught by police and arrested, and he 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.

Photo: Ras Baraka, City of Newark Press Office

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