East Orange, NJ, June 27, 2017: A combination of proactive policing, patrolling, and anonymous community tips led to the seizure of two handguns, hollow point bullets, illegal drugs and the arrest of seven men late last week in an area marked with recent criminal activity.
On Thursday, June 22, 2017, the East Orange Police’s Enhanced Community Safety Team responded to several shots fired in the area of Linden Avenue. After canvassing the area, detectives observed a silver Volkswagon Jetta fleeing the area. After a brief pursuit, detectives apprehended four known offenders and recovered a Hi-Point 9mm handgun. Triston Layne, 19, Jordan Atwell, 19, both of East Orange, and Anthony Mitchell, 20, and Quran Simpson, 19, both of Newark, were arrested and charged with possession of a handgun, possession for an unlawful purpose, possession of a defaced weapon, and conspiracy. Atwell, Mitchell and Simpson were also charged with resisting arrest.
That same day, detectives patrolling Linden Avenue conducted a motor vehicle stop, which resulted in the seizure of 11 ounces of the prescription drug Promethazine, four hollow point bullets, and $2,136 in cash and the arrest of two known offenders, Nathaniel Fuller, 32, and Marquis Watkins, 19, both of East Orange, who were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession within 1,000 feet of a school, possession within 500 feet of a public park and possession of a prohibited weapon/device.
Later that evening, EOPD responded to an anonymous tip regarding the unlawful possession of a firearm. Members of the Enhanced Community Safety Team stopped Raekwan Taylor, 20, of East Orange, and after a safety pat down, discovered a Rigarmi Brescia 25mm semi-automatic handgun which was loaded with three live rounds. Taylor was arrested for defiant trespassing and unlawful possession of a weapon.
“The cooperation of residents and our Enhanced Community Safety Team has allowed us to target and immediately address the concentration of crime that has occurred in the Linden Avenue area over the past few weeks,” said EOPD Police Chief Phyllis Bindi. “These arrests are sending a strong message that the community is watching and illegal weapons and drugs will not be tolerated in our backyard.”
To report suspicious activity, please call the East Orange Police Department Tipline at 973.266.5041.
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