Newark Weapons Offense SuspectA former New Jersey corrections officer has been charged with weapons offenses after police officers reportedly found him carrying an illegal handgun in Newark, NJ.

The suspect, a 38-year-old Newark man, allegedly threatened a woman with the gun after getting into an argument with her.

The suspect and the victim were near West Side Park in Newark when they began to argue. According to law enforcement, the suspect eventually walked to his motor vehicle, grabbed a handgun, and used it to threaten the victim.

When Essex County sheriff’s officers arrived at the scene, the suspect allegedly tried to convince them that he was an active corrections officer.

Cops searched the suspect and allegedly found him in possession of a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun that was loaded with hollow-point bullets.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow-point bullets, and impersonating a law enforcement officer.

The suspect used to work as a New Jersey corrections officer, but he was fired from his job in 2012 for reportedly falsifying official reports.

To learn more about this case, access the NJ.com article, “Ex-Corrections Officer Arrested in Newark on Gun Charges, Cops Say.”

Newark NJ Simple Assault AttorneysPolice officers arrested an Irvington NJ man who allegedly assaulted a pastor in Newark, New Jersey.

The attacked occurred just after 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Broad Street and Court Street in Newark, NJ. The pastor was walking on Broad Street when the suspect reportedly approached him and started to yell at him. According to law enforcement, the suspect questioned the pastor’s religious beliefs and then hit him.

Newark police officers soon arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect.

The suspect, a 32-year-old Irvington resident, has been charged with simple assault. Authorities indicated that additional charges for aggravated assault could be forthcoming.

After being placed under arrest and charged with simple assault, the suspect was transported to East Orange General Hospital for a psychological evaluation.

Meanwhile, the victim was transported to Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark NJ so that he could be treated for minor injuries sustained in the attack.

This was the second time in seven days that a clergy member was attacked in Newark, NJ. On January 30, 2017, a 38-year-old man reportedly assaulted a bishop inside the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

For additional information about this case, see the NorthJersey.com article, “Another Clergy Member Attacked in Newark.”

Newark Illegal Bar ArrestA Newark NJ man was recently arrested and charged with allegedly running an illegal bar from the basement of his residence.

The suspect is a 62-year-old man who resides at a home located on Norwood Street in Newark’s West Ward.

Newark law enforcement opened an investigation into the suspect after a local man was murdered at the illegal bar.

Detectives with the Newark Police Department Special Investigation Bureau went to the suspect’s residence to conduct a search of the premises after the recent homicide. While searching the residence, police allegedly discovered more than 100 bottles of alcohol, as well as other evidence of an illegal after-hours bar.

The suspect faces criminal charges for maintaining an unlicensed liquor establishment and illegal sale of alcohol. Additionally, Newark authorities are expected to seize the suspect’s property.

The Newark police investigation into the recent fatal shooting is still in its early stages, with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office also looking into the death of the 40-year-old victim.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Police Shut Down Illegal Bar Where Newark Man Was Killed, Official Says.”

Newark New Jersey Robbery ChargesNewark law enforcement is searching for a local man who allegedly shot at police officers while fleeing a botched robbery attempt.

The violent incident occurred on November 11, 2016. According to officials, the suspect and two other men were attempting to rob Jackie’s Kids Clothing Store, which is located on Broad Street in Newark, when cops came along.

The suspects allegedly exited the children’s clothing store and attempted to flee the scene on foot. During the ensuing police chase, the main suspect reportedly shot at the police officers. The Newark cops returned fire. Fortunately, nobody sustained any injuries during the shooting incident.

Newark detectives investigated the robbery and eventually identified the main suspect as a 43-year-old resident of Newark, NJ.

Law enforcement has already captured the other two suspects in the robbery. They currently face criminal charges for armed robbery.

Meanwhile, police are still trying to find the Newark NJ suspect who allegedly shot at the police officers. When the suspect is apprehended, he will have to answer criminal charges for armed robbery and aggravated assault.

For further information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Wanted: Police Search for Man Who Allegedly Shot at Cops During Robbery.”

Newark Aggravated Assault LawyersNewark New Jersey law enforcement arrested suspects in separate crimes: a shooting the Central Ward and an armed robbery in the Ironbound section.

The first crime occurred just after noon on January 10, 2017. The victim, a 38-year-old Newark NJ man, was walking on South 6th Street in Newark NJ when someone shot him. He was rushed to University Hospital, where doctors treated him for his injuries and then released him.

Authorities investigated the violent incident and determined that the suspect, a 23-year-old resident of East Orange NJ, may have been responsible for the shooting.

Members of the Newark Police Department Fugitive Unit located and arrested the suspect. He was subsequently charged with a number of criminal offenses, including aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The second criminal incident occurred on January 24, 2017. Two juveniles, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, reportedly committed a robbery in Newark’s Ironbound area.

Newark law enforcement conducted an investigation and identified the teen suspects as the possible robbers. Police later learned that the suspects might have been responsible for three other robberies in Newark, New Jersey.

For more information about these cases, read the NJ.com article, “Newark Police Mark Arrests in Separate Shooting, Robberies.”

Belleville NJ Manslaughter AttorneysA Nutley New Jersey man has been sentenced to 16 years in NJ State Prison after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter. The suspect killed the elderly victim during a robbery attempt at a Belleville NJ residence.

In May 2015, Ray Cooley, a 27-year-old man from Nutley, beat 86-year-old William Fitzsimmons to death at the victim’s home on Cedar Hill Avenue in Belleville, New Jersey. Prosecutors said that Cooley preyed on the victim, a retired captain with the National Guard, because he was elderly.

When a couple of people noticed Fitzsimmons lying on the ground outside his home on May 17, 2015, they called for an ambulance. The victim was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where doctors treated him for severe injuries to his head and face. Tragically, doctors could not save Fitzsimmons; he was pronounced dead two weeks later.

Police eventually identified and captured Cooley in connection with the homicide. Cooley was initially charged with first degree murder, but he reached a plea deal with Essex County NJ prosecutors and avoided trial in Essex County Superior Court.

Now the suspect has been sentenced to 16 years in New Jersey State Prison. If Cooley had gone to trial and been convicted by a jury, he would have been subject to a punishment of life imprisonment.

For further information about this case, read the NorthJersey.com article, “Nutley Man Sentenced for Belleville Manslaughter.”

Newark NJ Theft ChargesA Byram Township man has been accused of stealing money from a police officers’ labor organization in Essex County, New Jersey.

The suspect, a 45-year-old resident of Byram NJ, works for the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. While serving as the head of Essex County Sheriff’s Officers PBA Local 183, the suspect allegedly stole more than $14,000 to cover his personal expenses.

PBA Local 183 is part of the NJ State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJSPBA), a labor union for police officers in New Jersey.

According authorities, the suspect used a local PBA credit card to pay for expensive repairs to his personal motor vehicle.

When PBA Local 183 officials learned about the alleged crime, they alerted local law enforcement. Essex County Prosecutor’s Office detectives subsequently investigated and eventually placed the suspect under arrest.

The suspect now faces serious criminal charges for theft by deception.

Anyone who has information about the suspect or his alleged theft from the Essex County labor union should call investigators at 862-520-3700.

For further information about this case, go to the NJ.com article, “Ex-PBA President Charged with Theft.”

Newark NJ Aggravated Assault AttorneysA Newark New Jersey man allegedly attacked a bishop who was performing mass at church.

The violent incident reportedly happened in the middle of Saturday mass at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which is located on Ridge Street in Newark, NJ. The mass was being held as part of an event meant to honor Roberto Clemente, a baseball player who died in a tragic plane crash in 1972.

According to law enforcement, the suspect was observing the reverend during mass when he suddenly stood up, approached the altar, and punched the victim in the mouth. The reverend suffered minor injuries in the attack. He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors treated him for his injuries.

Newark NJ police officers conducted an investigation and spoke with witnesses before arresting the suspect. At this time, it is unclear why the suspect might have attacked the reverend.

The suspect, a 48-year-old Newark NJ resident, has been charged with aggravated assault.

For further information about this case, read the NorthJersey.com article, “Man Charged with Punching Bishop in Newark.”

Newark Aggravated Assault LawyersNewark NJ police are looking into a recent shooting incident that involved a police officer. According to law enforcement, the Newark cop fired gunshots at a suspect who allegedly tried to hit the cop with a car.

The violent incident happened around 1:30 a.m. The Newark NJ police officer stopped the suspect’s motor vehicle on South 11th Street in the South Ward of Newark and approached the vehicle. That’s when the suspect allegedly hit the gas pedal and attempted to run over the police officer.

Fortunately, the officer managed to avoid being struck by the car and did not suffer any injuries during the scary incident.

While the Newark officer was falling to the pavement, he reportedly used a firearm to fire several gunshots in the direction of the suspect.

The suspect allegedly drove away and eventually ended up at University Hospital in Newark, NJ. According to hospital officials, the suspect went to the Newark hospital because he requirement medical treatment for a gunshot wound.

Hospital employees notified police, which dispatched detectives to the scene to conduct an investigation. When police examined the suspect’s vehicle, which was parked near the emergency room, they reportedly noticed a bullet hole in the window.
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office detectives are actively investigating the police shooting and determining whether the officer followed police protocols.

Additionally, it remains possible that the suspect will be charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident.

To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Newark Police Reportedly Shoot Driver Who Tried to Run Over Cop.”

Newark Aggravated Assault ChargesA former NJ state corrections officer will be spending time behind bars after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges stemming from a shooting in Newark, New Jersey.

The suspect faces the criminal charges after being accused of shooting a 17-year-old girl on Leslie Street in June 2015. According to law enforcement, the suspect’s roommate came home and said that someone had fired a gun outside the house. The suspect allegedly grabbed his firearm and went looking for the shooter. The suspect then reportedly fired several gunshots, with one of the rounds striking the victim.

The teen victim survived the shooting, but Essex County NJ prosecutors said that she easily could have died. Prosecutors also referred to the shooting incident as a “senseless act of violence.”

The suspect was able to avoid trial in Essex County Superior Court by reaching a plea agreement with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. If the suspect had fought the charges in court, he would have been subject to weapons-related charges in addition to the aggravated assault charges.

Under the terms of the suspect’s plea deal, he will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for release on parole.

To learn more about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Former Corrections Officer Admits Shooting 17-Year-Old.”