Newark Police officials are reporting the arrest of five men wanted for gun crimes in the city.
Officials said police arrested the following suspects and listed their crimes as the following:
Mr. Charles H. Burks, 28, of Newark, was arrested on May 23, 2021, at Parkview Terrace and Chancellor Avenue after police observed a handgun inside the vehicle he was driving during a motor vehicle stop. The handgun was loaded with ballpoint and hollow point ammunition and was reported stolen out of Suwanee, Georgia. Burks, a convicted felon, faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, receiving stolen property and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.
Mr. Ahmad Elder, 18, of Newark, was arrested on May 22, 2021, at N. Munn Avenue near South Orange Avenue. Elder was observed carrying a handgun, which was later determined to be loaded with a high-capacity magazine. Elder is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons (large-capacity magazine), and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Mr. Shaheem Griffith-Brantley, 19, of Newark, was also arrested on May 22, 2021, during a motor vehicle stop conducted at the Riverside Court Apartment Complex. Griffith-Brantley was found in possession of a loaded handgun reported stolen out of Beckley, West Virginia. He faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and receiving stolen property. He was also charged in violation of two open warrants.
Mr. Khalil Harper, 18, of Newark, was arrested on May 21, 2021, at 17th Avenue and Morris Avenue. Detectives observed Harper with a gun. He ran upon becoming aware of police presence but was apprehended and found in possession of a loaded handgun. He is charged with unlawful possession and obstruction of the administration of the law.
Mr. Kareem T. Peeples, 21, of Newark, was arrested on May 19, 2021, at Market Street and Raymond Plaza, following a joint investigation between the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Newark Police. Peeples faces federal charges of interstate transportation of a firearm and delivery of a firearm.
Police said they recovered six firearms recovered as found property over the weekend.