By: Tracie Carter
Newark Police are asking for the public’s help identifying several suspects accused of posing as FBI agents before forcing their way into a woman’s Ironbound apartment, holding her down and stealing thousands of dollars.
According to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., the home invasion occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on August 27 on Mott Street near Raymond Boulevard.
Police said three men entered the victim’s building and went to her third-floor apartment, where they knocked on the door and allegedly identified themselves as federal agents while demanding that she let them inside.
When the woman opened the door, authorities said the men rushed into the apartment and pushed her onto a couch.
One suspect, described as light-skinned and wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, allegedly held the victim down while two masked accomplices searched through the residence.
Police said the suspects took $7,500 from a bedroom safe along with two credit cards from the victim’s purse.
The men then fled the building and entered a black Toyota Camry Solara with out-of-state license plates, where a fourth suspect had been waiting.
The vehicle was last seen traveling east on Fleming Avenue.
Investigators are also looking into whether a shuttle bus photographed in connection with the investigation may have been involved in the home invasion.
Director Miranda is urging anyone who recognizes the suspects or has information about the incident to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS.