According to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, four men were arrested and three guns were confiscated after Detectives from the Police Division’s Special Enforcement Bureau initiated a traffic stop.
Shortly after midnight, Special Enforcement Detectives saw a silver car traveling on 15th Avenue weaving in and out of traffic.
The detectives followed the car to Springfield Avenue where they stopped it to issue the driver traffic tickets.
The detectives recognized the distinct smell of marijuana as they were walking towards the car.
They arrested the car’s four occupants at which time they found three handguns.
The four occupants, all Newark residents, Tykyn McKenzie, 18, Afrika Islam and As’Samad Banks both 20 and the driver, Joseph A. Brown, 23 were each charged with three counts of possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for unlawful purposes, possession of hollow points bullets and receiving stolen property after it was determined one of the guns was reported stolen in 2008.
The car was towed with Joseph Brown also receiving several tickets for traffic violations.
Director Ambrose said, “The members of the Special Enforcement Bureau continue to do good police work and have been extremely effective at making the city safer by taking guns off the street. This morning, they arrested four armed men, and likely prevented someone from being a crime victim.”
Police encouraged anyone who has information about a crime of a quality of life to complaint and wishes to remain anonymous to please use our toll-free hotlines at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential.