9 People Arrested, 10 Weapons Recovered in 1 Week

Newark police, working with federal agencies, arrested nine people and recovered 10 weapons in the past few days, department spokesman Detective Todd McClendon said.

Omar Springer, 34, of Newark was arrested last Tuesday at the Riverside Villa public housing units by members of Newark Police Department's Narcotics and Gang Unit along with special agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the United States Marshal Service.

Officers continuing their investigation conducted a search of the residence and found several other men inside, three of whom were found in possession of firearms and were also taken into custody without incident, police said.

In addition to Springer, police also arrested Tyone Whithead, 22, Tamere Whitehead, 20, and Sahaad Whitehead, 22. Each man faced weapons-related charges, while Sahaad Whitehead faced additional narcotics related charges for marijuana possession, police said.

The second incident occurred later Tuesday evening shortly after 10 p.m. at 318 16th Ave., where members of the  narcotics and VIPER units observed a man with a gun in his waistband, police said. The plainclothes officers approached the man, Ferming Wilson, 31, of East Orange, who immediately attempted to run away, McClend said.

After a foot pursuit during which Wilson allegedly attempted to toss the firearm, he was taken into custody. Officers also recovered a loaded 9 mm gun, police said. Wilson was charged with weapons-related offenses and resisting arrest.

The third incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 6 p.m. at the intersection of Thomas Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, where officers observed a group of men fighting on a basketball court inside a peace playground.

As officers approached, a man, later identified as 26-year-old Jamaar Carroll, of Irvington, attempted to walk away as he tossed  a 9 mm pistol and 29 decks of heroin underneath a nearby vehicle, McClendon said.

Eric Fyshe, 28, of Lakewood, and a third man fled the area after they attempted to conceal two firearms on top of the wheels of a parked car, McClendon said.

Police recovered two .38 caliber guns from the parked vehicle, McClendon said.

Both Carroll and Fyshe are facing a half-dozen weapons and narcotics related charges, while Fyshe, who is a convicted felon, was additionally charged with under a law banning those convicted of serious crimes from possessing a firearm.

The third man escaped.

A few days later, police responding to 975 Frelinghuysen Ave. on a narcotics complaint Friday observed 29-year-old Lamar Carter, of Newark, standing on the corner.

As police began to question Carter, he ran away, jumped a nearby fence where a 9 mm gun fell out of his shorts, McClendon said. Police recovered the weapon and captured Carter, who was found in possession of heroin, cocaine and marijuana, McClendon said. Carter is facing a dozen weapons and narcotics-related charges.

Just a few hours, police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at 723 Clinton Ave. near the Newark Church of Christ.

Brandon Johnson, a 22-year-old from Morristown, had driven his vehicle through the gate of the church and suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries, McClendon said.