Helicopter aids in arrests, confiscation of two illegal off-road vehicles

NEWARK, NJ — According to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, on Sunday, June 19, the department’s helicopter helped members of the Special Enforcement Bureau arrest three suspects, confiscate two illegal motorcycles and issue 22 traffic tickets.

In an effort to target individuals’ ridings illegal two- and four-wheeled off-road motorcycles and those engaged in other illegal activities, the department’s helicopter was observing activities from the air while directing Special Enforcement detectives in cars to the locations.

Eighteen-year-old Newark resident Davon Anderson was arrested shortly after 5 p.m., when the helicopter, known as NPD1, observed him riding a “dirt bike” recklessly throughout the streets in the city’s south ward.

Anderson crashed while attempting to negotiate a turn near the intersection of Avon and Farley avenues. Special Enforcement officers were directed to where he crashed and arrested him as he was attempting to restart the motorcycle and flee.

Ambrose said, “The helicopter keeps officers in cars from having to chase suspects in vehicles and needlessly endanger the lives of our residents.”  Anderson, who was treated for minor injuries and released, was issued numerous traffic tickets and charged with eluding police.

Shortly before Anderson’s arrest, the helicopter also aided in the arrest of Talik Washington, 34, of Newark, for possession of marijuana near the intersection of South 18th Street and 18th Avenue. Washington was charged with possession of heroin.

NPD1 aided in a motor vehicle stop of a car being driven recklessly and at a high rate of speed by directing Special Enforcement detectives to the car’s location on S. 15th Street.  The stop resulted in the arrest of the driver Addie Eley, 39, of Newark, who was issued numerous traffic tickets and arrested for having heroin in his possession.

The helicopter also directed the detectives to the streets near West Side Park, where they confiscated a quad from a 13-year-old who was issued summonses before releasing him to his parents.

Ambrose stated, “The helicopter is a useful tool. It enables us to arrest fleeing suspects in vehicles without having to chase them, as noted by the narcotic arrests, it also enables arrests to be made through observations from the air that can’t be seen from the street.” The use of the helicopter is continuing and ongoing.  “We will continue to use the helicopter to target those who ride off-road motorcycles on our streets and to target other illegal activities,” stated Ambrose.

  Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose