Crime & Safety

Newark Police Make Gun, Drug Arrests This Past Weekend

Suspects include two men charged with armed robbery of a teen

Newark police arrested five people this weekend, including two robbery suspects, a department spokesman said in a statement.

On Jan. 18, Members of the Newark Police Department’s narcotics/gang unit, working with agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, conducted a motor-vehicle stop around 1 am on 15th Avenue. Officers approaching the vehicle reportedly saw a passenger, 27-year-old Kassim Fleming of Newark, stash something beneath the seat. After police searched the car and recovered a loaded .22-caliber handgun, Fleming was charged with illegal possession of a weapon. 

Later that day, around 5 pm, members of the Fugitive Apprehension Team spotted Devon Reid, 19, of Plainfield, who was wanted suspect. Reid fled from police on foot, allegedly tossing a loaded .38-caliber revolver as he ran before being caught by police and brought into custody. He was charged with illegal possession of a weapon.

Shortly after midnight Jan. 19, narcotics/gang unit officers reportedly witnessed Ojore Reeder, 19, of Newark, shuffling items in his hand as he walked down Delavan Avenue. When officers approached Reeder threw the items -- several decks of heroin -- to the ground. Police recovered the drugs and also found a loaded .380 caliber gun in Reeder’s jacket, police said. 
 
Later that day shortly before 7 pm a 16-year-old boy was robbed at gunpoint at 86 Komorn St. by two suspects, one of whom was armed with a handgun. According to reports the suspects approached the victim from behind and brandised a firearm as they removed the victim's coat and cell phone before fleeing on foot. Officers quickly responded to the scene and broadcast a description of the two,  who were spotted near Ferry and Oxford Streets by units canvassing the area.

As officers approached, 22-year-old Robert Jones of Newark reportedly attempted to discard a loaded .45 caliber firearm near a sewer. Officers detained Jones as well as 19-year-old Kasim Fate, also of Newark. Police immediately retrieved the firearm and recovered the victim's cell phone and jacket from the suspects, who were charged with armed robbery and weapons offenses, police said. 
 
"I am pleased that our initiatives and strategies for removing guns from our streets continue to be very successful,” said Police Director Samuel DeMaio. “I applaud our officers who are risking their lives and safety on a daily basis to help ensure the safety of our community."       


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