Elizabeth Men get Lengthy Sentences for Gunplay During Chase

Two Elizabeth men who have several prior felony convictions between them were sentenced Friday after being convicted earlier this year of shooting at police during a pursuit and for possession of an assault weapon, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray announced.

Anwar Crockett, 32, was sentenced to 30 years and Ali Ibn Karim, 31, received a sentence of 22 years on charges of eluding, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Crockett will be eligible for parole after 22 years and Karim after 19 years.

On Sept. 19, 2010, the men led Elizabeth police on a chase into Newark, during which they fired multiple shots at the pursuing officers before they were arrested. 

Four days before the chase, two Newark men, Reginald Wilson, 26, and Ishmael Bowers, 32, were gunned down on Concord Street and Sherman Avenue. Earlier this year, Crockett and Karim were acquitted of murdering the two.