Authorities have arrested and charged a Newark teen in connection to the August 21 killing of livery cab driver Rodrigo Berru.
NEWARK -- Authorities have arrested and charged a Newark teen in connection to the August 21 killing of livery cab driver Rodrigo Berru.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Eugene Venable announced Tuesday evening that the 14-year-old male suspect now faces a host of charges in connection Berru's death, including homicide, robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The teen has been remanded to the Essex County Youth House, said Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter. Authorities declined to release the teen's name due to his age, she added.
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Along with a second 14-year-old suspect, the juvenile was also charged in connection to an August 16 attempted carjacking that occurred on 4th Avenue, Carter said. Both teens now face charges of conspiracy and carjacking in connection with the incident.
Rodrigo Berru was fatally shot while still on duty at around 9:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Frelinghuysen Avenue near East Peddie Street, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4 a.m.
An investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force is ongoing, authorities said.
Berru's death--which brought city's 2015 homicide total to 59--came during a week in which five others died by homicide in Newark.
In the wake of the killings, Mayor Ras Baraka announced that more than 100 police officers would be temporarily reassigned from their administrative posts to on-the-street duty.
The officers have since returned to their regular administrative duties.
Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
