Crime & Safety

Brief but Violent Spree Ends in Arrests

Four Charged in Carjacking, Shooting

Four people have been charged for their alleged involvement in a half-hour North Ward crime spree that included a carjacking and shooting yesterday afternoon.

The series of violent incidents began at Broadway and Chester Avenue around 3:55 pm, when a man attempting to park his black 2008 BMW was confronted by two other men, who took the idling vehicle after removing the victim’s son.

A few minutes later, police received a report of a person shot at 4th Ave. and 12th St. The victim, an 18-year-old man, was taken to University Hospital by a friend. The shooter was in a black BMW, witnesses said. No motive has yet been established for the shooting, a department spokesman told Patch.

 Just minutes later, at 4:12 pm, more shots were fired from a black BMW near 100 Riverside Court, witnesses told police. No injuries were reported as a result of this shooting, police said.

Immediately afterwards the BMW  was spotted at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Central Avenue by detectives from the Major Crimes unit, who pursued the vehicle. The chase ended when the BMW crashed into a patrol car near Clifton and Victoria avenues. The car’s four occupants were arrested at the scene as they attempted to flee.

Police also recovered a 40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun whose serial numbers had been removed. The gun was found inside the car.
 
 
The four suspects arrested were 21-year-old East Orange resident Bilal Rodgers, 18-year-old Newark resident Sutan Paige, and two Newark juveniles, a 16- and 17-year-old.  The two adults were transported to Major Crimes Unit and the juveniles were transported to the Essex County Youth Detention Facility to be charged.   
 
The driver of the stolen BMW, Rodgers, was charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm and possession of hollow point bullets. Rodgers, who police said was carrying 59 clear bags of cocaine, was also charged with possession and distribution of drugs.

Paige was charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of hollow point bullets, receiving stolen property and resisting arrest.  The two juveniles were charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, possession of a defaced firearm and possession of hollow point bullets.
 
“I commend all the officers for their diligent efforts in apprehending these individuals that were involved in this crime spree.  The police department will continue to prosecute those who continue to lead a reckless lifestyle,” Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio stated.
 
 


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