Pedro Carmona

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Sep 15, 2026, 5:50 AM

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Updated

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Fourteen people wanted for violent offenses were taken into custody during an August law enforcement sweep across Essex County and surrounding areas.

The operation, led by the Newark Police Intelligence Division and Fugitive Section, targeted suspects with active warrants for charges including carjacking, robbery, weapons possession and aggravated assault.

Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. said targeted enforcement efforts over the summer contributed to an 8% decrease in violent crime between May and August 2026, compared with the same period last year.

Authorities released details about the 14 people taken into custody during the operation:

• Alyasin Mclean, 21, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 29 on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, including hollow-point ammunition, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.

• Tayvon Hammond, 31, of East Orange: Arrested Aug. 4 on charges of robbery, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

• Nazir Johnson, 21, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 5 on charges of robbery, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and criminal restraint.

• Erick Urquilla, 25, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 7 on an outstanding warrant for carjacking, two counts of conspiracy and theft of a motor vehicle.

• Willie Toliver, 38, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 17 on charges of seven counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, criminal mischief and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.

• Djuan Johnson, 32, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 17 on charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, simple assault and multiple outstanding warrants out of Newark.

• Kyle Wilson, 19, of Cranford: Arrested Aug. 18 on charges of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and conspiracy.

• Andre Mims, 49, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 18 on charges of stalking and an outstanding warrant out of Newark.

• James R. Armstrong, 33, of Bloomfield: Arrested Aug. 19 on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, discharging a firearm within city limits, possession of a weapon with a prior conviction and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.

• Sife Smith, 24, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 21 on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and an outstanding warrant out of Jersey City.

• Quassim Y. Richardson, 32, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 25 on a charge of aggravated assault.

• Wayne Link, 48, of Newark: Arrested Aug. 26 on charges of unlawful possession of a knife, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of terroristic threats, simple assault, and outstanding warrants out of Newark and Harrison.

• Tony Wardrick, 42, of Irvington: Arrested Aug. 28 on charges of two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault, theft, failure to appear, two outstanding warrants out of Irvington and one warrant out of Newark.

• Alsharif Plant Wiley, 23, of East Windsor: Arrested Aug. 31 on charges of terroristic threats, cyber harassment, harassment and two counts of violating a restraining order.