Six Arrested on Kidnapping, Drug Charges in West Orange

West Orange Police arrested five adults and one juvenile early Friday after a reported kidnapping, police said.

Biondy “BJ” Josephy, 23 and Edouard Jean, 22, were charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, weapons offenses and terroristic threats, according to the Township of West Orange.

Joseph and Jean, who were already being investigated for allegedly selling marijuana from a Ridgehurst Road residence, allegedly held a 16-year-old male at gunpoint for about 13 hours and threatened his life after he removed $250 from a nightstand at the residence the day before, authorities said. According to West Orange Township, the teen said he took the money to reimburse himself of money missing from his wallet following a May 20 sleepover and claimed the two men robbed him of a cellphone and sneakers.

The 16-year-old victim was released by the two under the understanding he had a short time to return the money or be killed, according to West Orange Township officials.

Authorities had been investigating Joseph and Jean since earlier in the month for allegedly selling marijuana from the residence and allegedly purchased marijuana from the home during the investigation. The two men face several drug charges and are being held at the Essex County Jail on $450,000 bail, with no 10 percent option, authorities said.

“The West Orange Police Department will not tolerate thug-like behavior in our community,” West Orange Lt. Will Varanelli said in a release from the Township. “If criminals decide they want to sell drugs and commit these predatory crimes, they will feel the weight of our resolve. ”

Additionally, Alkahir Scott, 18, Andy Alexis, 19, Jeneah Moore, 21, and one juvenile were arrested at the residence and charged with possession of marijuana and conspiracy, according to West Orange Township officials. All of them were released on drug possessory charges.

Authorities said numerous items were recovered from the residence, including a black .177 caliber pellet gun, baseball bat, unspecified quantities of marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy, the allegedly stolen sneakers and cellphone, and a pit-bull dog was also present in the house.