18-year-old Killed in Carjacking

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Henry Jones, 18, of Newark was fatally shot in the head during an apparent carjacking. Jones was a passenger in a silver Jaguar X10. The incident occurred at 55-57 Parkview Terrance in Newark. The vehicle was recovered. The homicide is still being investigated. No more…

Arrest Made in Fatal Stabbing of Young Mother

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Nadiyah Venable, 20, of Irvington for the murder of Sharon Moens, 29, Newark. Law enforcement authorities are also seeking an unidentified male in connection with this homicide, according to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly. “This is an active and ongoing investigation,’’…

Pedestrian Killed in Bloomfield

Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Richard Figueroa, 24, of Belleville was struck and killed this morning in Bloomfield in the area of Watsessing and Bloomfield Avenues. Figueroa was pronounced dead at 12:48 p.m. The preliminary investigation has revealed that the vehicle that struck the pedestrian may have had a mechanical malfunction.…

VIPER Unit Makes Major Drug Arrest

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office VIPER Unit arrested Leroy Stedmon Peters, 31, of Newark and charged him with drug and weapons offenses. Peters was arrested today after detectives developed information that he would be in possession of cocaine. Detectives conducted a motor vehicle…

Arrest Made in Newark Homicide

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced the arrest of Rafael Velez, 26, of Newark for the homicide of Edgardo Ruiz, 42, of Newark. Velez was also charged with weapons offenses and conspiracy. On April 20, 2010 Newark police responded to a report of shots fired. When they arrived in the 500 block…

Judge Imposes 35 Year Sentence on Rapist

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that Nelson Keenan, 42, of Newark was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the November 2007 knifepoint rape of a 53-year-old Irvington woman. Keenan, who is married, was sentenced today by the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming…

Teenage Carnival Shooter Dies

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that the 17-year-old suspect, who was shot by a Bloomfield police officer on Friday, died at University Hospital. Rasheed Cherry, 17, of East Orange was shot on Friday night after he opened fire at a crowded carnival. He was pronounced dead at 12:26 p.m. today. Next…

17-year-old Bloomfield Carnival Shooter Charged

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino today announced that the 17-year-old East Orange juvenile, who opened fire at a carnival in Bloomfield on Friday, injuring another teenager, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two weapons offenses and resisting arrest. The 17-year-old, who was charged today, was shot in the torso by…