By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Newark report the arrests of five individuals who participated in two so-called street takeovers in Newark on November 24, 2024, and April 26.
“I commend the members of our Drag Racing Suppression Unit and members of our Real Time Crime Center for the outstanding social media investigation they conducted to identify and arrest these five drag racing suspects,” Director Miranda said.
Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., stated that Wyatt Bowden, 19, of Somerville, was arrested on November 24, 2024, at Miller Street near McCarter Highway. At approximately 1:02 a.m., police responded to the location on calls of erratic driving by multiple drivers. Upon becoming aware of Police presence, the suspects began to flee the scene in their vehicles.
While attempting to flee, Bowden, who was driving a silver-colored 2015 4-door GMC Terrain, drove over the foot of a female Newark Police Officer. Newark Police pursued the vehicle on foot and safely took Bowden into custody. He faces charges of aggravated assault upon a police officer, eluding, and unlawful possession of a weapon, Newark authorities stated.
The female Police Officer was transported to University Hospital for treatment and is reportedly in stable condition.
According to Newark officials, Tony Ali, 20, of Paterson, was arrested in connection with this incident on April 4, 2025, in Totowa. He was identified through social media as the operator of the Instagram account that promoted the November 2024 street takeover. He faces a charge of rioting.
Adrian Mejia, 20, of the Bronx, was arrested on May 1, 2025, in the Bronx, also in connection with this incident. Mejia was identified through social media as a suspect who jumped on a marked Newark Police vehicle during the November 2024 incident, Newark officials say. He faces a charge of rioting and was also wanted for an aggravated assault charge related to a similar street takeover event in Philadelphia.
Newark police said that at approximately 2:40 a.m., April 26, 2025, Police responded to Empire Street near Frelinghuysen Avenue after a 5th Precinct supervisor observed more than 100 drag racers gathering in the area. Upon becoming aware of Police presence, the street takeover participants began fleeing in their vehicles.
Several suspect vehicles collided as the drivers attempted to evade arrest. A Newark Police Lieutenant exited his police vehicle and ordered the driver of a gray Ford Focus to stop. The driver, Anderson Nunez-Luna, 22, of Jersey City, ignored the Lieutenant’s commands, placed his vehicle into reverse, and struck another fleeing vehicle that was behind his car. Nunez-Luna then accelerated forward, striking a second fleeing vehicle, according to Newark authorities.
When approached by the Lieutenant, Nunez-Luna lurched the vehicle forward, striking the Lieutenant and launching him backward onto the street a short distance away, Newark officials say.
Newark officials said that Nunez-Luna was taken into custody by another 5th Precinct Officer who had responded to the scene. He faces charges of aggravated assault, eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
The struck Lieutenant rose to his feet and attempted to stop another fleeing vehicle driven by Haylin Rosario, 21, of Union City. Rosario, driving a black 4-door 2021 Honda Accord, accelerated towards the Lieutenant, who rolled himself on the ground as the vehicle fled. A police pursuit ensued onto Route 22 West into Hillside, Newark officials stated.
According to Newark officials, Rosario turned off his vehicle’s headlights and parked in a driveway in the 200 block of Shelton Terrace. He was arrested there without further incident. Rosario faces charges of aggravated assault upon a police officer, eluding, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The struck Lieutenant was transported to the University Hospital for treatment of his injuries. He is reportedly in stable condition, Newark Police said.
These charges are merely accusations, Newark authorities stated. Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Aside from these five arrests, 49 summonses were issued to the street takeover participants, and 11 vehicles were towed.
“This investigation is ongoing,” Director Miranda said.