24 In Trenton Gang Bust As Guns, Drugs, Ammo Seized: Police

MERCER COUNTY, NJ —The New Jersey State Police prevented a gang from allegedly preparing a series of retaliatory shootings after it arrested 24 suspects for various drug, weapons and other offenses. Colonel Patrick J. Callahan and Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal made the announcement on Tuesday.

The State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit said it determined that a group of armed gang members was gathering at a residence on Tyrell Avenue, Trenton this past month to plan a series of retaliatory shootings.

Detectives observed several members of the group to be in possession of handguns and, as a result, obtained a search warrant for the residence.

On Nov. 25, members of the State Police T.E.A.M.S., K-9, Aviation, and Crime Suppression Central Units along with assistance from the Trenton Police Department, Hamilton Township Police Department, and Ewing Township Police Department executed a search warrant at the Tyrell Avenue residence and found several members of the group to be in possession of multiple handguns, drugs, high-capacity magazines and in violation of local ordinances. Police said they arrested 24 suspects without incident.

Ten suspects were lodged at the Mercer County Correctional Center and three juveniles were lodged at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center. The remaining 11 suspects were charged with violating local ordinances and were released pending court.

The following people were charged criminally:

Samuel Vincent, 25, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun
• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Certain persons not to possess weapons
• Possession of handgun for unlawful purpose
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of hollow point ammunition

Jaheim Myles, 19, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Jerome Bennett, 19, of Burlington

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Antwan Tootle, 22, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Quameir Billups-Taylor, 22, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Dontrell Wilkins, 21, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Anthony Robbins, 20, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Jahad Blackshear, 19, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Terron Bazemore, 20, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun
• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Receiving stolen property
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine

Stafford Knowles, 18, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun
• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Receiving stolen property
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine

Juvenile Male, 17, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Juvenile Male, 16, of Hamilton

• Possession of a handgun during a CDS offense
• Possession of heroin with intent to distribute
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a defaced firearm

Juvenile Male, 16, of Trenton

• Possession of a handgun
• Possession of a handgun for unlawful purpose
• Receiving stolen property
• Possession of hollow point ammunition
• Possession of a high-capacity magazine

“Throughout this pandemic, New Jersey law enforcement officers have been doing all they can to combat gun violence in our cities by arresting violent gang members and seizing illegal weapons, and these latest arrests in Trenton are just another strong example,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.

“Meanwhile, we are also engaging in community outreach like the virtual town hall we held in Trenton in June to discuss violence reduction strategies. We will continue to take a holistic and collaborative approach to public safety in our Capital City,” said Grewal.

“How and where the illegal guns seized in this operation were going to be used thankfully remains an untold story, but what is certain is that it would have ended in tragedy,” said Col. Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

Callahan said the prompt response by the State Police Crime Suppression Central Unit and law enforcement partners saved lives. “We remain committed to working shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners, community leaders, and city residents to build and maintain safer neighborhoods in Trenton,” he said.

The following evidence was seized according to the police:

• Century Arms 9mm semi-automatic handgun
• 2 Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns
• Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun
• Taurus .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun
• Defaced 9mm semi-automatic handgun
• Stinger 6mm handgun
• 4 extended magazines
• Hollow-point ammunition
• 19 cell phones
• 9 bricks of heroin
• 8 grams of crack cocaine
• 1 gram of marijuana

Veronica Allende, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice commended the State Police for their operation, and said her department will continue to work with them to keep the community safe. "Our Deputy Attorneys General stand ready to prosecute these defendants to bring them to justice," she said.

Trenton Police Director Sheilah A. Coley said this case was a “testament to the success of our partnership with the N.J. State Police, which continues to help our city at a time when we need it the most.”

“I’m sure our residents will feel a bit safer knowing that multiple law enforcement entities are operating in Trenton at this very moment, working day and night to get these guns and drugs out of our streets before they cause further bloodshed,” she said.

The case is being prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice.

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