Assault rifle among firearms allegedly found in search at North Ward apartments
NEWARK -- Police executed a search warrant at a North Ward home Thursday that turned up a stash of guns and cocaine, department spokesman Sgt Ron Glover said in a statement.
After obtaining the warrant Oct. 29 following an undercover investigation, detectives with the Narcotics Enforcement Section conducted surveillance at the North 5th Street building and spotted the suspects, Luis Nieves, 31, and his brother Reinaldo, 30. Officers from the Emergency Response Team also arrived to assist in the arrests.
After showing the warrant, police entered two apartments and secured the occupants as they searched, finding an unloaded .38-caliber revolver, a loaded .32-caliber semi-automatic, a loaded 9-mm semi-automatic and a loaded .223-caliber Smith and Wesson assault rifle, Glover said. Cocaine and paraphernalia were also found, he also said.
The Nieves brothers were charged with several weapons and drug-related offenses. Two other people at the scene, Eliana Giraldo and Kevin Delatorre, were found to have active warrants for their arrest, for $685 and $2,000, respectively.
"This was great police work orchestrated by the Narcotics Enforcement Section detectives. They confiscated four weapons, including a loaded assault rifle with an extended magazine, from the hands of two career criminals. We must continue this work to ensure the safety of the citizens of our city," said Newark Police Director Eugene Venable.
The Nieveses may face additional charges at the conclusion of the investigation and more arrests are expected, Glover said. Police ask that anyone with information about this or any other crime 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
