By: Tracie Carter
Authorities in Newark are searching for an East Orange man accused of assaulting two police officers during an investigation involving a stolen dirt bike.
According to information released by Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr., a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Isaiah Ketchens, 33, in connection with the incident that occurred on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Police said the incident began around 1:20 p.m., when two Newark officers were flagged down by a man who reported that his stolen dirt bike was being listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
Officers accompanied the victim to Smith Street near Norwood Place, where a meeting had been arranged with the individual selling the bike.
Authorities say that when the suspect became aware of police presence, he attempted to flee on the stolen dirt bike.
A struggle followed, during which one officer attempted to deploy pepper spray but observed the suspect holding a handgun. The officer dropped the spray in an effort to recover the weapon.
During the confrontation, Ketchens allegedly picked up the pepper spray and used it on both officers before fleeing southbound on Smith Street toward South Orange Avenue.
Police recovered a handgun at the scene that was loaded with prohibited ballpoint ammunition.
Both injured officers were transported to University Hospital for treatment.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant charging Ketchens with multiple offenses, including two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, disarming a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited ammunition, and obstruction of justice.
Authorities are asking anyone with information on Ketchens’ whereabouts to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS.