Police ID Two Men In Maplewood Incident, Find Stolen Beretta

MAPLEWOOD, NJ —After police responded to a report of a robbery in Maplewood Friday morning, and a nearby school was told to "shelter in place," police have identified two suspects in an alleged home invasion.

The Maplewood police said on Saturday night that they had arrested two men, Dequan Lewis, 24, of Vauxhall, NJ, and Isaiah Gavin, 18, of Elizabeth, NJ. They were charged with burglary, robbery, receiving stolen property, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, and conspiracy to commit robbery.

The police also recovered a handgun, a .9 mm Beretta they said was stolen from Newport News, VA.

The incident began on Friday around 11:27 a.m. Police responded to a report of a possible robbery or shooting on Boyden Avenue. When police arrived, witnesses gave them information about two suspects.

Police found two "persons of interest" in the area and took them into custody. Meanwhile, an injured man being treated at the hospital said two unknown persons had entered his home, assaulted him, and ransacked his home. The man ran outside to his vehicle and drove to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

On Saturday, police said that the two arrested men allegedly "forced entry into the apartment by utilizing a crowbar to pry open the back door."

Police said this was a "targeted incident."

They added, "This remains an active investigation. There are many questions left unanswered." Detectives are looking for more witnesses and video footage.

Police said they are "working with management and residents of Avalon [apartments] to ensure their safety and to address their concerns."

To see photos of the arrested men, input their names using this link.