CASE 1: SEEKING AHMAD DAVIS

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad, in conjunction with the Newark Police Department, is searching for Ahmad Davis, 28, of 76 17th Ave. in Newark, who is wanted in connection with a double shooting incident that left one man dead and another critically wounded.

On August 5, 2009, shortly after 11 pm, Newark Police responded to a report of shots fired where they found one victim suffering what later became a fatal gun shot wound to the chest and another with a critical gun shot wound to the shoulder. According to preliminary accounts, both men who were shot in the parking lot of the Garden Spires Housing Complex, appear to have been targeted subsequent to a dispute. The victim has been identified as Alkhabir Diggs, 29, of Newark. He was transported to University Hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. The second victim, a 31-year-old male, also from Newark, is currently in serious but stable condition at University Hospital.

Anyone with information about this or any other crime is urged to call the Newark Police Department's 24-hour "Crime Stoppers" anonymous tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or the Essex County Prosecutor’s Tipline at 877-TIPS – 4-EC (877-847-7432). Tips leading to arrests and indictments could result in cash rewards of up to $2,000 to the person who provides the information or $1,000 per gun for calls into the gun hot line.

Ahmad Davis photo:

CASE 2: BANK ROBBERY IN CEDAR GROVE

The Cedar Grove Police Department in conjunction with other authorities is seeking a man who robbed the TD Banknorth bank on Pompton Avenue (Route 23) at the Pilgrim Shopping Center in Cedar Grove on August 5th, 2008. The incident took place at approximately 4 pm. The robber appeared to be in his 30s, and stood about 5-foot-10. He had close-cropped brown hair, and was wearing a purple shirt and denim shorts. He claimed to have a gun and demanded cash, leaving with an undisclosed amount of money.

Below are two security video images of the suspect taken during the incident. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect is asked to call the Cedar Grove police at (973) 239-1000.

CASE 3: SEEKING 2 HOMICIDE SUSPECTS FROM NEWARK

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance tracking down two men who allegedly shot and killed a city man on May 17, 2009 in Newark.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Dashawn Gibson, 17, and James Johnson, 18, both of Newark, in connection with the fatal shooting of Desean Hamilton, 19, of Newark, who was shot and killed in the area of Aldine Street and Forest Place, in the City of Newark, on May 17. According to witnesses, the victim was walking along Aldine Street, near the intersection of Forest Place, at around 1:30 a.m., when he was accosted by the two suspects. The two suspects and the victim engaged in a brief conversation and subsequently the victim was struck by gunfire multiple times. The victim was transported to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:19 a.m.

Anyone with information about Dashawn Gibson and or James Johnson is urged to contact Detective Phillip Gregory of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad at (973) 621-4593 or Detective Anthony Iemmello of the Newark Police Department Homicide Squad at (973) 733-5400.

Dashawn Gibson photo:

James Johnson photo:

CASE 4: SEEKING KIRTRELL GADSTON

Police now are searching for Kirtrell Gadston the driver of the suspect vehicle who fled the scene of a motor vehicle crash that killed a 42-year-old Newark woman on June 23.

The incident began at 6 a.m. on Concord Place in Elizabeth, where police were investigating a car burglary committed by three suspects. At the scene, Elizabeth police caught a 15-year-old male juvenile on foot. Karleaf Patton fled in an awaiting stolen black Mercury Mountaineer SUV, allegedly driven by Kirtrell Gadson. Shortly afterward, the SUV was traveling at a high speed northbound on Dayton Street, next to the park, collided with Heather Clemens’ vehicle. Every preliminary investigation indicates there was no vehicle pursuit by police.

Last night, at approximately 6 p.m., detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark Police arrested 18-year-old Karleaf Patton, of Newark, the alleged passenger of the stolen Mercury Mountaineer that crashed into a Dodge Neon, killing an innocent bystander, the driver of the vehicle Heather Clemens. The collision occurred at the intersection of Dayton and Foster Street in Newark shortly after 6 a.m. Patton was arrested, last night, without incident, at the corner of South Orange Ave. and S.20th Street in Newark. Police are seeking the driver of the suspect vehicle. He has been identified as Kirtrell Gadson, 19, of Irvington. Both Gadson and Patton were last spotted by witnesses running through Weequahic Park in Newark.

Anyone with any information about the whereabouts of Kirtrell Gadson is urged to call the Newark Police tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or the Essex County Prosecutor’s tip line at 877- TIPS-4-EC (877-847-7432).

Kirtrell Gadston photo:

CASE 5: SUSPECT WHO SHOT IRVINGTON BODEGA OWNER

Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow announced that her office was releasing an in-store security video that captured images of a suspect wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of an Irvington convenience store owner last month.

Willie Dwight Cousar, 31, of Haledon and owner of The Corner Store, located at 108 Augusta Street in Irvington, was shot and killed on October 17, 2007.

The security video captures the suspect, unmasked, at approximately 1:45 p.m., entering the store and walking past the victim, who is exiting the bodega. Seconds after the suspect leaves the store, (not released on video) the owner runs back into the bodega with the gunman, giving chase behind him. The gunman eventually shoots the victim multiple times in the back. The victim managed to exit the store before collapsing in the street. Thirty minutes later, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Prosecutor Dow urged the assistance of the public to help identify this suspect. “If anyone has any information about this suspect, please contact Detective Christine Witkowski of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad at (973) 621-4586.”

CASE 6: MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER, PEDESTRIAN HIT - AND - RUN

Essex County Prosecutor Paula T. Dow is seeking the public's help in identifying the driver of a motor vehicle which struck and seriously injured a pedestrian on February 28, 2007 at 8:20 p.m. The incident occurred at the intersection of McCarter Highway and Edison Place in the City of Newark. The vehicle fled on Market Street toward the Ironbound Section of the City and is described as a late model gray or silver Nissan Sentra operated by a white or Hispanic male driver.

Prosecutor Dow urges anyone with information to call Detective Vincent Nardone of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Vehicular Homicide Unit at (973) 395-3482 or Detective Michael Chirico of the Newark Police Department Homicide Squad at (973) 733-5400. All calls will be kept confidential.

CASE 7: BANK ROBBERIES IN MORRIS and ESSEX COUNTIES

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office is seeking the identification of an actor who is suspected of committing bank robberies in Caldwell (January 30, 2004), Parsippany (January 5, 2005) and Wharton (February 6, 2007), New Jersey. If you have any information, please contact Investigator Detective Bob McNally of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, at (973)829-8403.

Sovereign Bank, 378 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey – On January 30, 2004, at approximately 1742 hours, a white male, approximately 5’8” - 6’00” tall, thin build (150 – 160 lbs.), late 30’s to early 40’s, facial hair, wearing a green wool hat, dark coat and dark colored gloves, carrying a dark soft briefcase, entered the bank and left a handwritten note on the counter demanding money or he would shoot the teller. No weapon was displayed during the robbery. The actor fled on foot after receiving a sum of United States Currency. No vehicle information was obtained.

PNC Bank, 1142 Route 46 West, Parsippany, New Jersey – On January 5, 2005, at approximately 1127 hours, a white male, approximately 5’10” – 6’0” tall, thin build, approximately 30 years of age, dark-colored “scruffy beard”, wearing a black jacket-zipped up to his neck, dark knit hat with tan and red stripes, dark colored gloves and eyeglasses, carrying a dark gym bag, entered the bank and placed a handwritten note on counter demanding money and indicating that he had a gun. No weapon was displayed during the robbery. The actor fled on foot after receiving a sum of United States Currency. No vehicle information was obtained.

Bank of New York, 20 North Main Street, Wharton, New Jersey - On February 6, 2007, at approximately 1322 hours, a white or Hispanic male, approximately 5’10” – 6’00” tall, thin build, 35 – 45 years of age, wearing a gray colored fleece jacket-zipped up to his neck, black and gray knit hat, dark colored gloves and black sunglasses, carrying a white colored bag with blue straps, entered the bank and presented a handwritten note to the teller demanding money or he would shoot the teller. The actor fled on foot after receiving a sum of United States Currency. No vehicle information was obtained.

CASE 8: REGARDING NEWARK ARSON INCIDENT

The subject was seen entering the property of a church on Roseville Avenue in Newark, NJ at 3:00 AM on May 3, 2005 carrying a newspaper. The subject was thereafter seen leaving the property without the paper. It was later discovered that the fire at the church was set with a newspaper. The subject was described as an Hispanic male, age 25 to 35, with a thin build and fair complexion, about 6 feet in height, wearing a blue knit cap and a hooded sweatshirt.

CASE 9: TEENAGER FOUND DEAD IN NEWARK
VICTIM: HARAN EDWARD

On June 20, 2003, Haran Edward's body was found behind bushes in the vicinity of 110 Edison Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. The victim was last seen at his home on West Kinney Street around 10:30 PM on Thursday, June 19, 2003. The victim was 13 years old, approximately 5'4" tall, 130 pounds, thin build, with brown eyes and black hair worn in a short afro. He was wearing a black leather jacket, a grey hooded Yankee sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers. Anyone who recognizes the photograph of the victim and has any information which could assist in the apprehension of suspect(s), please call Investigator Susan Bzik of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Squad at (973) 621-4634 or Detective Muran Muhammad of the Newark Police Homicide Squad at (973) 733-5400.

CASE 10: CRITICAL INJURY OF MAN BY AUTO HIT AND RUN IN EAST ORANGE, NJ
VICTIM: ADDISON MARTINEZ

On Saturday, February 28, 2004 at around 3:45 am, Addison Martinez, age 40 of Orange, New Jersey, was critically injured from a hit and run automobile collision. An unidentified vehicle struck Mr. Martinez in the intersection of Freeway Drive West and South Walnut Street. The vehicle fled after dragging Martinez over two thousand feet to the area of Beech Street in East Orange, where he was left lying in the middle of the street.

The East Orange Police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office are seeking witnesses to the incident. If anyone has information that can assist them in identifying the fleeting driver, they should contact Investigator Arnold Anderson of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Vehicular Homicide Unit at (973) 621-4631 or East Orange Police Detective James Summers at (973) 266-5038.

CASE 11: WOMAN KILLED WHEN STRUCK BY STOLEN CAR IN NEWARK
VICTIM: ROBIN GREENE

On April 5, 2003, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the victim Robin Greene, age 45 of Newark, New Jersey, was operating a motor vehicle northbound on South 14th Street in the City of Newark when a stolen Black Jeep Cherokee struck the victim at Avon Avenue. The victim died on impact.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office along with the Newark Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying the occupants and driver of this vehicle. All calls will be kept confidential. Please help by calling the Essex County Prosecutor’s Tip Line at 1-800-375-3829 or 973-621-4609, Investigator Vincent Nardone or the Newark Police Department Detective Joseph Hadley at 973-733-5400.

CASE 12: SUSPECTS IN 4/19/03 SHOOTING DEATH OF NEWARK GROCERY STORE OWNERS

Law enforcement authorities are seeking two men in connection with the April 19, 2003 murder of a grocery store owner which occurred in Newark. The victim, Narcisco Saldana (age 45), was shot to death in his store at 448 Springfield Avenue, Newark at approximately 9:20 AM during an apparent robbery attempt.

The men being sought are Darryl Johnson (age 20) of 304 South Seventh Street, Newark and Michael Lattimore (age 22) of 10-06 Flagler Street, Morristown, N. J. The men are charged with murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. It is alleged that they committed the robbery with two other co-defendants who have already been apprehended. Ahmad Hagler (age 22) of 19 Lincoln Street, Morristown was arrested by police on April 29, 2003. Jenna Rogers (age 18) of 24 Cleveland Avenue, Morris Township was arrested on May 1, 2003. Both Hagler and Rogers were charged with the same offenses lodged against their co-defendants.

It is alleged that the quartet used the automobile of Jenna Rogers to commit the attempted robbery of the victim. The vehicle, a silver Honda Civic, was chased by Newark Police shortly after the homicide. The vehicle eluded police, but an alert patrol officer obtained the license plate number of the vehicle which was later recovered by police in Newark two days after the murder.

Photographs of Darryl Johnson and Michael Lattimore are attached. Police believe that Darryl Johnson may have changed his appearance by shaving his head and facial hair.

Anyone with information about the homicide or the whereabouts of Darryl Johnson and Michael Lattimore should call Prosecutor’s Investigator Paul Sarabando at (973) 621-4595 or Newark Police Detective Vincent Vitiello at (973) 733-5400.

All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

CASE 13: DECEASED WOMEN FOUND IN TWO VACANT RESIDENCES IN EAST ORANGE

The deceased bodies of two women were found at two seperate residences in East Orange in July and August of 2004. On July 23, 2004, the deceased body of Chandra Butler, age 38 of Newark, was found in the rear yard of a vacant residential property at 130 South Munn Street. The Essex County Medical Examiners report indicated that Butler died from strangulation and blunt force trauma. On August 17, 2004, the body of an unidentified female was found within a boarded up property at 34 Linden Avenue. The Medical Examiners report is still pending. It is not known if the two cases are related. Anyone with information regarding either of these cases should contact Prosecutor’s Investigator Paul Sarabando at (973) 621-4595 or East Orange Detective Thomas Wright at (973) 266-5030.