Arrests Made in Basketball Court Pistol Whipping

South Orange police have made two arrests in the case of the May 27 aggravated assault of a minor on the basketball court next to the Baird.

According to the Village's police blotter, the victim was in an argument with a black male between the ages of 17 and 20, who ultimately pulled out a handgun and used it to strike him on the head. The suspect fled the scene in a Honda Civic driven by a black female, described as approximately 5'3" tall with a heavy build.

At about 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, police officers conducting surveillance at the basketball court arrested Michael James, 19, of Newark, who was spotted in the same black Honda Civic and was identified as the man who wielded the handgun. Later on Thursday evening, James's alleged accomplice Duane P. Tims, 19, of Newark, turned himself in at police headquarters.

James and Tims were charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a handgun for unlawful purposes and conspiracy. Bail was set, and they were sent to County jail.

The woman who allegedly drove the getaway car came to headquarters to cooperate with the investigation and wasn't charged, according to Police Chief James Chelel.