Newark Cops to be Honored for Dogged Pursuit of Suspects

Editor’s note: The 200 Club of Essex County is presenting its annual Valor Awards to dozens of Newark police and firefighters for acts of bravery performed in 2012. Funds raised from the event go to assist the families of fallen first-responders.

The luncheon will be held May 9 at Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Ave. in West Orange at 11:30 am. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by calling 973-694-4982.

Below is the latest installment in a series listing honorees and the acts for which they are being commended.

Among the Newark police officers being honored by the 200 Club next week is Rigoberto Colon, who was off-duty when he foiled an armed restaurant robbery, and Jobani Dumeng, who chased down a carjacking suspect even after his own patrol car had been wrecked during the pursuit.

On Sept. 11, 2012, Colon and two friends walked into a Summer Avenue eatery when, shortly afterward, a man entered, brandished a handgun and ordered the patrons to lie on the floor. 

The robbery suspect fired on Colon as Colon withdrew his own service weapon. Colon returned fire, then chased after the suspect when the suspect fled.

Now on the street, Colon spotted a second suspect and ordered both to drop their weapons, identifying himself as a police officer. Instead the men opened fire, with Colon shooting back until the suspects took off on foot.

“For his bravery and professionalism in confronting two armed and determined suspects, the 200 Club is proud to present a Valor Award to Officer Rigoberto Colon,” the group said in a statement.  

On Oct. 27, 2012, Jobani Dumeng was called in to assist in a vehicle pursuit of a carjacked Mercedes Benz, which was speeding down Elizabeth Avenue.

The stolen car, which was traveling in the wrong lane, slammed into the front of Dumeng’s patrol vehicle. When the suspects leapt from the car and fled, Dumeng left his own now disabled vehicle and chased one of them on foot.

The suspect, who ignored repeated commands to stop, finally pulled a gun from his waistband and fired on Dumeng, who returned fire. The suspect, who had been shot three times by Dumeng, was captured a short time later. 

“Throughout this incident, Officer Dumeng demonstrated exemplary courage, nerve and resolve as he shrugged off the injuries and disorientation he suffered during the head-on collision and the pursuit,” the 200 Club said.