Burglar Had Items Worth Thousands in His Home, Police Say

The fugitive unit arrested last week four men wanted for crimes including burglary, robbery and a pair of shootings, Newark Police Department spokesman Det. Todd McClendon said.

On Aug. 5,  the unit's investigation led them to 499 Hawthorne Ave., the residence of 37-year-old John Rivers, who was wanted on a burglary warrant issued Nov. 29, 2012. Rivers and another, unidentified man stole an estimated $2,000 worth of coats and jackets from a vehicle outside 81 Jabez St., police said.

Rivers’ home was filled with items police believe to be stolen, including car stereos, iPods, cameras, cell phones and other electronics, McClendon said. There were so many items, McClendon added, a truck was needed to transport them. Rivers has been charged with one count of burglary but may face additional charges.  

On Aug. 7, police arrested 26 year-old Derrick Davis of Newark. Davis was arrested in East Orange on an open warrant for the shooting and robbery of a 20 year-old Newark man on May 1.

The victim in that shooting was at the corner of Hawthorne Avenue and Osborne Terrace shortly after 7 p.m. when Davis and another man, Spencer Patterson, 29, robbed and shot the victim as he fled after a struggle, McClendon said. Patterson was arrested on an unrelated charge.

On Aug. 8, the fugitive unit, joined by members of the FBI Fugitive Task Force, located 37-year-old Newark resident Damian Banks in Elizabeth.  Banks, who was arrested without incident, is suspected of shooting and critically wounding a 31-year-old Newark man after a dispute outside of Seabra's Restaurant, 1034 McCarter Highway. Banks has been charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses.