By: Richard L. Smith
Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. announced the arrest of a Newark man accused of robbing a local business while allegedly using a Google Translate message to threaten an employee.
Authorities said Najee Bishop, 25, of Newark, has been charged in connection with a robbery that occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026, at a business located in the 100 block of Pacific Street.
According to investigators, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Bishop entered the establishment and showed a male employee a message on his cellphone written through Google Translate.
The message allegedly claimed he had a gun and demanded all of the money from the register. Police said the message also warned the employee not to “get killed for someone else’s money.”
Investigators said Bishop then walked behind the counter, removed approximately $550 from the cash register, and placed the cash into a blue backpack he was carrying.
Police said the suspect also stole two cell phones — one belonging to the employee and another from the business — before fleeing westbound on Chestnut Street.
Both phones were later recovered underneath a vehicle in the 200 block of McWhorter Street.
Following an investigation, Newark Police robbery detectives identified Bishop as the suspect and obtained a warrant charging him with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, terroristic threats, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.