Duo Suspected in String of Armed Robberies Arrested After Pursuit

The Newark Police Department arrested two armed robbery suspects believed responsible for a number of crimes Friday.

At about 12:30 am this morning, at 264 Summer Ave.,  two men -- later identified as 22 year-old Kristian Carter and 35 year-old Charles Boston, both of Newark -- allegedly robbed an 18 year-old Newark man at gunpoint. The suspects fled the scene in a stolen black Jeep Liberty. A short time later, a 25 year-old Newark man was robbed by what are believed to be the same two suspects at 109 Heller Parkway,where the suspects forced the victim into their vehicle for a short distance while they robbed him of his cell phone and MP3 player before letting him go.

Police were able to obtain the plate number of the vehicle and broadcast the information to units in the field. Meanwhile, a third victim, a 49 year-old Newark man, was also robbed at gunpoint at 15 Manchester Place by the same two masked suspects. An alert unit in the Third Precinct spotted the vehicle at Ferry and Jackson streets and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop at which time the suspect vehicle fled leading police on a vehicle pursuit onto I-280 west. The suspects managed to briefly elude police in the area of N. 5th. Street where units flooded the area. Police quickly located the suspects as they abandoned the suspect vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

Both suspects were apprehended after a foot pursuit. Carter was arrested inside Branch Brook Park after reportedly discarding a loaded .45 caliber firearm and one of the victim's wallets.

Carter and Boston are both being charged with three counts of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of kidnapping and receiving stolen property. Boston, identified as the driver, was additionally charged with eluding and possession of burglary tools while Carter was additionally charged with resisting arrest.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio stated, "I am relieved that through excellent police work our officers were able to successfully locate and capture this pair of predators prior to someone being severely injured and/or killed. It is this type of professionalism and heroism demonstrated by our officers on a daily basis that has resulted in our ability to reduce violent crime and bring those responsible to justice."