Several Arrested on Weapons, Drug Charges

Newark police recovered guns and drugs stemming from arrests last week, the department said in a statement.

On Oct. 3 at approximately 9:44 pm, near 121 Shephard Ave., a motor vehicle violation led to the arrest of 22 year-old Wadi Brown from Newark and 33 year-old Altorie Wheeler from Hillside.  Officers reportedly observed a Chevy Impala commit a motor vehicle violation. After police stopped the vehicle they reportedly discovered 11 grams of marijuana and a .40-caliber handgun. Both men were charged with narcotics offenses while Wheeler was also charged with several weapons offenses.

On Oct. 4 at approximately 10:30 am, members of the Newark Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Team responded to 440 Washington St., where officers apprehended 28 year-old Anton Reynolds.  Reynolds was wanted for several open warrants and was placed under arrest in a rear bedroom where officers reportedly found located a loaded, defaced .32 caliber handgun.  He was charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.   

At 6 pm on October 5, in the area of 789 Clinton Ave., officers observed the driver of a Volkswagen commit a motor vehicle violation.  Officers stopped the car and during their interaction with the occupants, they reportedly recovered a .25 caliber handgun, several Oxycodone pills and over 36 grams of cocaine.  The occupants of the vehicle -- 24 year-old Jahque Douglas and 19 year-old Rueben Gillett both from Newark, and 29 year-old Roberto Ritorto from Old Bridge -- were arrested and taken into custody.   

"These officers exhibited great police work in removing several firearms out of the hands of individuals which continue to break the law by their willful decision to carry illegal guns,” Police Director Samuel DeMaio said.