Other suspects arrested during burglary investigation
NEWARK -- Four people were arrested over the course of several hours beginning Thursday night, including a city man who was charged shortly after he was wounded in a shooting, department spokesman Sgt. Ron Glover said.
The first of the arrests, all in the North Ward, were carried out by personnel working on the Newark Violence Reduction Initiative, a multi-agency effort consisting of personnel from the FBI, Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the Sheriff's Department, the State Police and the state parole agency, as well as the city's gang and Ceasefire units.
The officers received a tip regarding someone armed with a gun on Norfolk Street, where police set up surveillance in the 200 block around 8 p.m. Ismael Mojica, 22, who matched a description provided by the tipster, was stopped after he was spotted in front of a corner and began to enter a car.
As officers approached, Mojica tried to hide a loaded, .22-caliber handgun in his pocket, Glover said. He has been charged with multiple weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a handgun.
Several hours later, patrol officers responded to a reported burglary in the 100 block of 1st Street, where they began searching for suspects. Two men who matched a description were seen nearby at Dickerson and Duryea streets.
When the two officers approached, one of the suspects turned, grabbed something in his waistband and ran, Glover said. As the other suspect was being held, police, including backup officers, quickly caught the fleeing man, Glover added. The suspect, 20-year-old Davon Greely, allegedly threw away a loaded .25-caliber handgun during the chase, which was recovered.
Greely was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and other weapons offenses. The other man, Devante Rouse, 23, was held on outstanding warrants.
A third arrest occurred around 2 a.m. Friday, when a man was found shot in an apartment near Orange and 1st streets. Arriving officers aided the victim, Donald Scott, 20, with one officer using a shirt to apply pressure to the wound, Glover said. The officer also noticed bullet fragments on the dresser when he grabbed the shirt, Glover also said.
As Scott was being prepared for transport by EMS, officers also noticed a loaded 9-mm handgun and quantities of heroin and marijuana in the room, Glover said. Scott, who was taken to University Hospital, was told he was under arrest for drug and weapons offenses.
"Newark officers, alongside our partners from several local, state and federal agencies, are exemplifying what this administration is committed to, that is the safety and well being of the citizens. This, combined with the residents' commitment to help the police by reporting crime to our anonymous tip line, is helping pave the way to that safer Newark," said Police Director Eugene Venable
Police are asking that anyone with information about these or any other crimes call the department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867).
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook
